NCJ Number
46601
Date Published
1978
Length
55 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSIONS, IMPRESSIONS, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS IN A COURT WATCHING PROJECT ARE REPORTED. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE ELIMINATION OF CASE DELAYS.
Abstract
THIS SECOND AND FINAL PART OF A 2-PART 18-MONTH STUDY OF THE FAMILY COURT IN 9 AREAS IN NEW YORK STATE EXTENDS A REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM WHICH BEGAN IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA. THE FIRST PART DETAILED THE OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF 220 VOLUNTEERS IN ERIE, NASSAU, AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES AND IN NEW YORK CITY. THIS SECTION IS BASED ON A TOTAL OF 3527 HEARINGS AND 383 SESSIONS MONITORED STATEWIDE. TABLES DETAIL TYPES OF CASES OBSERVED BY THE 274 VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS DATA ON THE LOCAL COURTS. (PROBATION INTAKE PROCEEDINGS WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE STUDY BECAUSE PROBATION ADMINISTRATION JUDGED IT WAS NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE GRANT.) A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE IN THE AREAS OF CASE SCHEDULING, CALENDAR CALLS, AND LENGTHS OF HEARINGS. IT IS FELT SUCH IMPROVEMENTS WOULD NOT ONLY CONSERVE THE TIME OF PARTICIPANTS BUT WOULD ALSO INCREASE RESPECT FOR THE COURTS. TRAINING AND PROCEDURAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE TO UPGRADE THE LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COURT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO EXPLAIN PROCEEDINGS, RIGHTS, AND RESULTS OF HEARINGS TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN SIMPLE, NONLEGAL LANGUAGE. INFORMATION SERVICES ARE RECOMMENDED TO HELP CITIZENS FIND THE PROPER COURT OR AGENCY. THE DEVELOPMENT, PROMULGATION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR THE GRANTING OF ADJOURNMENTS ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED. A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR THE HANDLING OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY HEARINGS AND CASES INVOLVING PERSONS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION. SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES ARE ALSO OFFERED. FOR THE FIRST REPORT IN THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ-46597. (RCB)