NCJ Number
45693
Date Published
Unknown
Length
28 pages
Annotation
THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF CRIME VICTIMS AND CRIMINAL COURT WITNESSES IN LICKING COUNTY, OHIO, ARE REPORTED, AND A MODEL SURVEYING TECHNIQUE APPLICABLE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE WITNESS PORTION OF THE LICKING COUNTY SURVEY SOUGHT TO DETERMINE THE IMPRESSIONS OF MUNICIPAL AND COMMON PLEAS COURT WITNESSES WITH REGARD TO THEIR COURTROOM EXPERIENCES. THE SURVEY FOUND THAT ONE SOURCE OF DISSATISFACTION AMONG WITNESSES WAS THE FAILURE OF THE COURTS TO ADVISE THEM OF THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIALS IN WHICH THEY TESTIFIED. THE VICTIM PORTION OF THE SURVEY WAS INTENDED TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF CRIME VICTIMS AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS RESPONDING TO THOSE NEEDS. OVER HALF OF THE VICTIM RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED THEM WITH MORE ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM. ONE-THIRD OF THE VICTIMS FELT THEY HAD BEEN VERY POORLY REPRESENTED BY THE PROSECUTOR, ONE-THIRD FELT THEY HAD BEEN ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED, AND ONE-THIRD FELT THEY HAD BEEN REPRESENTED VERY WELL. THE MECHANICS OF THE SURVEY DESIGN, SELECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT, WEIGHTING OF SURVEY DISTRIBUTION, AND COMPILATION AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA ARE DESCRIBED, AS ARE METHODS USED TO MAXIMIZE SURVEY RESPONSE. SURVEY INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)