NCJ Number
44630
Date Published
1976
Length
13 pages
Annotation
AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM HANDLING FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD DISAGREEMENTS NOT CONSIDERED SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT FORMAL CHARGES IS DESCRIBED AND ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE JERSEY CITY MUNICIPAL COURT'S FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD DISPUTE PROGRAM HELD ITS FIRST HEARING IN MAY 1975. THE PROGRAM STAFF CONSISTS OF A SUPERVISOR AND A COUNSELOR, WHO ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE MUNICIPAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR. IN ADDITION TO CASES INVOLVING MINOR FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD DISAGREEMENTS, THE PROGRAM HANDLES WORTHLESS CHECK CASES UNDER $100. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES A PERSONALIZED APPROACH TO COUNSELING AND REFRAINS FROM FOCUSING ON WHICH PARTY TO A DISPUTE IS RIGHT AND WHICH IS WRONG. AN EFFORT IS MADE TO KEEP THE HEARING ATMOSPHERE INFORMAL AND UNINHIBITING. THE COURSE OF A TYPICAL COMPLAINT HANDLED BY THE PROGRAM IS FOLLOWED, AND PROGRAM STATISTICS ARE PRESENTED. IN ITS FIRST 10 MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE PROGRAM HANDLED 702 CASES, OF WHICH 51 WERE RETURNED TO THE COURT. PARTICIPANT RESPONSE HAS BEEN GENERALLY FAVORABLE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXPANDING AND IMPROVING THE PROGRAM INCLUDE USING PERSONNEL OTHER THAN COURT CLERKS TO SCREEN COMPLAINTS, PROVIDING AN INTERPRETER FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING CLIENTS, GENERATING REVENUE BY CHARGING FEES FOR HANDLING CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES, AND HIRING LAW STUDENTS. A COPY OF THE PROGRAM'S INTAKE-COMPLAINT FORM IS INCLUDED.