NCJ Number
65514
Date Published
1980
Length
35 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS OF THE NATIONAL EVALUATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS (NJC'S) ARE PRESENTED. THE STUDY ASSESSED THE EFFECT OF THREE CENTERS IN ATLANTA, GA., KANSAS CITY, MO., AND LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
Abstract
THE THREE NJC'S HANDLED 3,947 CASES DURING THEIR FIRST 15 MONTHS OF OPERATION; THESE CASES INCLUDED MANY TYPES OF DISPUTES FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT REFERRAL SERVICES. NEARLY HALF OF THE CASES WERE RESOLVED AND A 6-MONTH FOLLOWUP ON THE CASES FOUND THAT AGREEMENTS STILL HELD AND MOST DISPUTANTS WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PROCESS. NJC'S APPEAR TO HANDLE MOST INTERPERSONAL CASES MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN THE COURTS; THEY ARE FASTER, AND THEIR DECISIONS ARE MORE SATISFYING TO THE DISPUTANTS. EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACT ON COURT CASELOAD WAS INSIGNIFICANT, JUDGES AND OTHER JUSTICE SYSTEM OFFICIALS HELD A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE NJC'S AND BELIEVED THAT THEY FACILITATED COURT PROCESSES. CIVIL AND CONSUMER DISPUTES REACHED HEARING LESS OFTEN THAN THOSE OF A MORE CLEARLY INTERPERSONAL NATURE, BUT THE INTERPERSONAL DISPUTES TENDED TO SHOW A LESS SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION RATE UPON FOLLOWUP. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT THE COSTS PER CASE AT THE NJC'S MAY BECOME COMPETITIVE WITH THOSE OF THE COURTS. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE NJC'S PROVIDE A NEEDED AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATE MECHANISM FOR THE RESOLUTION OF MINOR DISPUTES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT (1) GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISMS, (2) A PROGRAM OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BE CONDUCTED ON OUTREACH METHODS, (3) WORKSHOPS ON SUCH MECHANISMS BE OFFERED TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, AND (4) A NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION PROGRAM BE LAUNCHED TO ASSESS CURRENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION APPROACHES. TABULAR DATA AND ONE FIGURE ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)