NCJ Number
30051
Journal
Judicature Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: (OCTOBER 1975) Pages: 126-131
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, GOALS, AND FINDINGS OF THE JUDICIAL PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO STUDY JUDICIAL GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO FORMULATE A PLAN FOR REMEDIAL ACTION.
Abstract
THE EFFORT TO DEFINE JUDICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES BEGAN AS A RESULT OF INCREASED INVOLVEMENT BY THE SANTA CLARA JUDICIARY IN PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS, DIVERSION PROGRAMS, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING BOARD. THE INQUIRY WAS LAUNCHED BY A JOINT COMMITTEE OF SUPERIOR AND MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES; STAFF ASSISTANCE WAS OBTAINED THROUGH A LEAA GRANT. THE STAFF STUDIED EXISTING STANDARDS AND GOALS ON JUDICIAL ROLES, AND MADE AN EFFORT TO SOLICIT INFORMATION AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMPLAINTS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, FROM THE BAR, AND FROM THE COMMUNITY. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED WERE LACK OF ONGOING JUDICIAL INTEREST IN THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT; LACK OF JUDICIAL ACCESSIBILITY; IGNORANCE OF CORRECTIONS CONDITIONS; SENTENCING DISPARITIES; AND INSUFFICIENT FISCAL CONCERN. AS A RESULT OF ITS INQUIRIES, THE JUDICIAL PILOT PROGRAM PRODUCED A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE WHICH SETS FORTH THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND GOALS OF THE CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE COURT JUDGES, AND PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STATEMENT PRINCIPLES.