NCJ Number
54331
Date Published
Unknown
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THIS MONITORING HANDBOOK IS DESIGNED TO AID INTERESTED CITIZENS IN ASSESSING VARIOUS CHARGES LEVELED AT THEIR COURTS AND TO HELP THEM WORK WITH THE JUDICIARY AND THE PUBLIC TOWARD IMPROVING THE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM.
Abstract
SOME CITIZEN GROUPS CRITICIZE ANTIQUATED PROCEDURES, WHILE JUDGES COMPLAIN ABOUT THE INCREASING VOLUME OF CASES, INADEQUATE COURT ROOM SPACE, LACK OF PERSONNEL, AND EXCESSIVE DEMANDS FOR CONTINUANCES. BECAUSE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE FACTORS AFFECT THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE ADMINISTERED IN STATE CRIMINAL COURTS IS UNCERTAIN, THE FUND FOR MODERN COURTS, INC., IS SPONSORING A PROGRAM OF COURT MONITORING THAT IS FUNDED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED AS THE FIRST HALF OF A 3.5-YEAR PROGRAM TO UTILIZE TRAINED VOLUNTEERS IN MONITORING AND REPORTING ON THE TRIAL PROCESS WITHIN SELECTED COURTS IN NEW YORK. GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO SPECIFY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPDATING COURTS, TO PROVIDE FOR BETTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF PROBLEMS IN ADMINISTERING JUSTICE AND FOR BETTER SUPPORT IN IMPROVING THE SYSTEM, AND TO ESTABLISH A CONTINUING DIALOGUE BETWEEN CITIZENS AND THE JUDICIARY. ALL CRIMES IN NEW YORK ARE STATUTORY; THERE ARE NO COMMON LAW CRIMES. ACTS CONTRARY TO LAWS MADE BY THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT ARE CLASSIFIED AS VIOLATIONS, MISDEMEANORS, OR FELONIES. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS ENCOMPASSES ARREST, BOOKING, COMPLAINT, ARRAIGNMENT, PLEA BARGAINING, PRELIMINARY HEARING, GRAND JURY, SUPREME COURT, TRIAL, YOUTHFUL OFFENDER, JURY SELECTION, AND SENTENCING. DEFENDANT'S RIGHTS ARE EXAMINED IN RELATION TO ARRAIGNMENT, RIGHT TO COUNSEL, RIGHT TO EXCLUDE EVIDENCE, AND RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL. THE ROLE OF THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR VIOLATIONS, MISDEMEANORS, AND FELONIES ARE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH ADJOURNMENTS AND PERSONNEL CONNECTED WITH THE COURT SYSTEM. A GLOSSARY AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN INFORMATION ON THE NEW YORK JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR MONITORS. (DEP)