NCJ Number
45276
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CENTER, AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO RESOLVING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS AND MINOR CRIMINAL CASES, IS DESCRIBED, AND A TYPICAL CASE PROCEEDING IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CENTER (CDSC) PROVIDES A STAFF OF PROFESSIONALLY SKILLED AND TRAINED MEDIATORS TO LISTEN TO COMPLAINTS, COUNTER-COMPLAINTS, AND DEFENSES IN AN INFORMAL, NEUTRAL SETTING. IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OPERATION FOLLOWING ITS INCEPTION IN MAY, 1975, THE LEAA-FUNDED CDSC IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HANDLED 2,063 CASES AND SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED 94.9 PERCENT OF THEM. THE RECIDIVISM RATE WAS 4.1 PERCENT, AND THE WAIT TIME, FROM DATE OF COMPLAINT TO HEARING, WAS CUT FROM 94.3 DAYS THROUGH THE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM TO 7.2 DAYS THROUGH THE CDSC. AN ESTIMATED 42 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY COURT CRIMES DIVISION'S MISDEMEANOR PENAL CASELOAD IS ABSORBED BY THE CDSC, AND ITS COST PER CASE IS ONLY $26.40 AS COMPARED TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM'S APPROXIMATELY $250.00 PER CASE. THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF DEALING WITH A COMPLAINT OF BATTERY (A HUSBAND IS ACCUSED OF WIFEBEATING) IS OUTLINED AND CONTRASTED WITH THE WAY IN WHICH THE SAME COMPLAINT WOULD BE HANDLED IN THE CDSC; TRADITIONAL POLICE AND PROSECUTION METHODS DISCOURAGE THE WIFE FROM BRINGING HER HUSBAND TO TRIAL, WHILE A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION IS ARRIVED AT WITH THE CDSC THROUGH MEDIATION HEARINGS AND WRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE INTERESTED PARTIES. (DAS)