NCJ Number
43777
Date Published
1977
Length
23 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS IN THE CASE-PROCESSING SYSTEM USED BY THE DISTRICT COURT OF CLARK COUNTY, WASH., ARE IDENTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SYSTEM ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THE COURT HANDLES MISDEMEANORS, TRAFFIC CITATIONS, CIVIL CASES UP TO $1,000 AND SMALL CLAIMS UP TO $300. ALTHOUGH THE COURT IS ABLE TO DISPOSE OF CASES WITHIN THE 60-DAY STATUTORY PERIOD, THE JUDGES AND COURT STAFF OFTEN FIND THAT FILES ARE LOST EITHER BETWEEN PRETRIAL AND TRIAL OR BETWEEN TRIAL AND SENTENCING. TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOST MATERIALS, COURT STAFF HAS RESORTED TO TIME-CONSUMING SUPPLEMENTAL RECORDKEEPING SYSTEMS. THE COURT'S FILING SYSTEM, THOUGH BASICALLY SOUND, IS HAMPERED BY THE ABSENCE OF AN INDEX-CONTROL CARD, I.E., A CARD THAT NEVER LEAVES THE CASE FILE, BY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE FILES, AND BY THE LACK OF AN OUT-CARD SYSTEM FOR MARKING THE FILE WHENEVER A CASE IS REMOVED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALLEVIATING THESE CONDITIONS AND FOR REDUCING OR SPEEDING PAPERWORK BY IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURAL CHANGES ARE PRESENTED. THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THE FOLLOWING: MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING INDEX CARD FOR USE AS A CASE PROGRESS AND CASE LOCATION CONTROL CARD; RESTRICTION OF ACCESS TO CASE FILES TO COURT PERSONNEL ONLY; AND ADOPTION OF STRICT STANDARDS WITH REGARD TO THE REMOVAL OF CASES FROM THE FILE AND THE RETURN OF CASES TO THE APPROPRIATE FILE.