NCJ Number
190774
Date Published
March 2000
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This report identified some common problems faced by countries regarding trial delays with recommendations for effective countermeasures.
Abstract
This report presented in 1999 at the UNAFEI, 111th International Seminar on "The Role of the Police, Prosecution, and the Judiciary in the Changing Society" identified factors involved in trial delays and potential resolutions or effective countermeasures to the problem. Causes in delays in concluding trials are common to many countries and are reaching alarming proportions with far reaching consequences. Problems identified in creating these delays and potential effective countermeasures included: (1) heavy caseloads on judges and magistrates; (2) lack of knowledge and experience of judges; (3) lack of resources in the court; (4) frequent adjournments during trial process; (5) lengthy preliminary hearings; (6) inadequate preparation by the prosecutor and defense counsel; (7) dilatory tactics of defense counsels; and (8) delay of expert reports. All those professionals involved should do their best to ensure that trials commence as soon as possible, and once commenced, every case should be disposed of impartially and without undue delay. Some recommendations proposed in this report may not be acceptable to all the participating countries, due to social and economic conditions prevailing in those countries.