NCJ Number
48604
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
MANY FRUSTRATING PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH THE CRIMINAL COURTS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS FILM, AND HOW THE APATHY WITH THE COURT SYSTEM HAS DEVELOPED IS EXPLAINED.
Abstract
THE FILM DISCUSSES A NUMBER OF WHAT IT CHARACTERIZED AS BAD LEGAL PROCEDURES IN THE NATION'S CRIMINAL COURTS. IT STATES THAT THE COMMON MAN HAS BECOME TERRIBLY FRUSTRATED WITH THE COURTS. BECAUSE THERE IS NO VICTIM COMPENSATION, VICTIMS HARDLY FEEL THAT IT IS WORTH THEIR TIME TO PRESS CHARGES, AND POLICE ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY MUST SPEND IN COURT. PERSONS ARRESTED ALSO HAVE DIFFICULTIES; IF INNOCENT, THEY MAY BE FORCED TO REMAIN IN JAIL OR WAIT ON BAIL UNTIL THEIR CASE COMES TO COURT, AND THEY USUALLY CANNOT TALK TO A JUDGE BECAUSE THE COURTS ARE SO OVERCROWDED. TOO MANY CONTINUANCES ARE GRANTED BY THE COURTS, THUS INCREASING THE CASELOAD. THE FILM TAKES THE POSITION THAT A DEFENDANT WHO IS NOT GUILTY SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO SIT IN JAIL WHILE WAITING FOR A TRIAL, AND A GUILTY PERSON SHOULD BE SENT TO THE PENITENTIARY IMMEDIATELY AFTER ADMITTING HIS GUILT INSTEAD OF BEING HELD FOR TRIAL. IN ONE-HALF OF ALL THE CASES IN WHICH THE CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED, WITNESSES WERE UNCOOPERATIVE OUT OF A FEAR OF RETRIBUTION. IN MANY STATES, VICTIM AND WITNESS SUPPORT SERVICES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TESTIFY. ACCORDING TO THIS FILM, THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS SLOW, LAWYERS ARE EXPENSIVE, AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS ARE SOMETIMES UNTRUSTWORTHY. IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO DEVELOP JUDICIAL DIVERSION AND PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TO HELP REDUCE COURT CASELOADS. BY USING COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP OFFENDERS, THE COURT SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABLE TO FUNCTION MORE EFFICIENTLY. FOR RELATED FILMS, SEE NCJ 48602, 48603, AND 48605. (BAC)