NCJ Number
59153
Date Published
Unknown
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THE OBJECTIVES, RECRUITMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE VOLUNTEER DOCKET OBSERVER PROGRAM IN LOUISVILLE, KEN., ARE DESCRIBED, AND A HANDBOOK FOR PERSONS MONITORING COURT PROCESS IS PROVIDED.
Abstract
THE COURT WATCHING PROGRAM WAS INSTITUTED TO DOCUMENT PROCEDURAL INADEQUACIES OF THE COURT, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON TREATMENT OF VICTIMS. THE DISTRICT COURTS WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY HANDLE MOST FIRST OFFENDERS. THE PROGRAM'S GOALS ARE TO DISCOVER IF DUE PROCESS IS AVAILABLE TO ALL CITIZENS, TO EDUCATE CITIZENS IN ALL FACETS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF THE COURT ENVIRONMENT ON ITS PROCEEDINGS, AND TO DISCOVER IF COURTS HAVE DIRECTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL AIDS TO HELP FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS AND VICTIMS. VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BE A HETEROGENEOUS GROUP AND CAN BE RECRUITED FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCH GROUPS, AND SCHOOLS. ALL RECEIVE TRAINING IN COURT PROCEDURES AND OBSERVATION TECHNIQUES. MONITORING DISTRICT COURTS IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF CASES AND THE RAPID RATE OF DISPOSITION. THIS PROGRAM ADVOCATES COMMUNICATING WITH THE JUDGE BEFORE MONITORING BEGINS. SUCCESSFUL USE OF THE PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA IS SIGNIFICANT. THE MONITOR'S HANDBOOK CONTAINS INFORMATION ON THE KENTUCKY PENAL CODE, INFORMATION ON DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS, A DESCRIPTION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS, DEFENDANTS' RIGHTS, ROLE OF THE PROSECUTOR AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY, A GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS, AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETING MONITORING DATA FORMS. (MJM)