NCJ Number
63811
Editor(s)
C S PEIRCE
Date Published
1979
Length
60 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT IN NEW ORLEANS AND PRESENTS AN ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM AREAS WITHIN THE COURT.
Abstract
THE MUNICIPAL COURT IS A CRIMINAL COURT OF LIMITED JURISDICTION WITH AUTHORITY TO HEAR CASES INVOLVING VIOLATIONS OF MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES AND STATE STATUTES NOT TRIABLE BY JURY. DUE TO THE MINOR NATURE OF MANY MUNICIPAL CHARGES, THE COURT IS EASY TO OVERLOOK, YET IT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ORDER AND FOR MANY CITIZENS IS THE ONLY MEANS AVAILABLE FOR RESOLUTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS. THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE CASELOAD, STRUCTURE, AND OPERATIONS OF THE COURT, AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES IT OFFERS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE COURT'S OPERATION IN FOUR AREAS: (1) A JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD BE ADDED TO INVESTIGATE A VARIETY OF IMPROVEMENTS, BOTH SHORT AND LONG TERM, AND TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER CITY AGENCIES AND WITHIN THE COURT ITSELF; (2) ALL MANUALLY KEPT MUNICIPAL COURT RECORDS SHOULD BE AUTOMATED; (3) A SYSTEM OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE COURT SHOULD BE INSTITUTIONALIZED; (4) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO DEAL WITH VOLATILE NEIGHBORHOOD-ORIENTED CASES AND FAMILY VIOLENCE; (5) A SCREENING AND DIVERSION PROGRAM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO DETERMINE WHICH CASES SHOULD BE DIVERTED TO OTHER COUNSELING AND TREATMENT AGENCIES AS OPPOSED TO PROSECUTION IN MUNICIPAL COURT; (6) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF HANDLING CASES OF PUBLIC INTOXICATION SHOULD BE DEVISED. AN APPENDIX CONTAINING TABULAR DATA IS INCLUDED. (MJW)