NCJ Number
36979
Date Published
1975
Length
50 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION OF A PROJECT TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS IN ILLINOIS' LOWER CRIMINAL COURTS THROUGH CITIZEN OBSERVATION AND RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS AND TO DEVELOP A PROJECT MODEL TO BE USED ELSEWHERE.
Abstract
FIRST YEAR ACTIVITIES INCLUDED ORGANIZING STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL STEERING COMMITTEES; WRITING AND PUBLICATION OF A COURT WATCHING MANUAL; AND FIVE MONTHS OF INTENSIVE STUDY OF COURT PROCEEDINGS IN COOK, DUPAGE, CHAMPAIGN, AND WARREN COUNTIES. DATA WERE GATHERED ON 31,000 PROCEEDINGS, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE PERCENTAGE OF AND REASONS FOR CONTINUANCES; PERCENTAGE OF MISDEMEANOR PROCEEDINGS REPRESENTING VICTIMLESS CRIMES; PHYSICAL FACILITIES OF THE COURT; COURT PROCEDURES; AND TREATMENT OF PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COURTS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE IN ALL OF THESE AREAS ON STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROJECT BE CONTINUED USING THE METHODOLOGY USED IN 1974-75. APPENDIXES CONTAIN LISTS OF COURTS OBSERVED AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE STEERING COMMITTEES, SUMMARIES OF STATE AND LOCAL PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS. PROFILES OF INDIVIDUAL COURTROOMS, SOME OF THE FORMS USED, AND THE TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE COURT WATCHING MANUAL. FOR THE FULL MANUAL - 'HOW TO WATCH A COURT' - SEE NCJ-31486.