NCJ Number
52362
Date Published
1978
Length
27 pages
Annotation
PROGRAMS AND POLICIES FOR ENHANCING LITIGANT ACCESS TO COURTS, INCREASING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, AND IMPROVING SERVICES TO JURORS, VICTIMS, AND WITNESSES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM COULD BE IMPROVED TO RESPOND MORE TO PUBLIC NEEDS BY INSTITUTING VARIOUS MEASURES. LEGAL REPRESENTATION SHOULD BE SUBSIDIZED FOR LOW INCOME PERSONS AND PARTIALLY SUBSIDIZED FOR OTHER PERSONS, AND INFORMATION ON THE COURTS SHOULD BE SPREAD THROUGH THE MEDIA AND BY IMPROVING SCHOOL COURSES ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT. THE COMMUNITY SHOULD NOT BE COMPELLED TO SUBMIT MATTERS TO THE COURTS WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE REAL DISPUTES; E.G., UNCONTESTED DIVORCES. WITNESS, VICTIM, AND JUROR SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES COULD BE ENHANCED BY PROVIDING VICTIM-WITNESS COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES, PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION, AND INTRODUCING ONE-DAY, ONE-TRIAL JURY SERVICE. THE LAY ROLE IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION COULD BE INCREASED BY EXPERIMENTATION WITH NONJUDICIAL FORMS OF MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, AND ADJUDICATION THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY GROUPS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN SELECTING AND DISCIPLINING JUDGES AND LAWYERS. CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEES COULD BE ATTACHED TO COURTS, AND POLICYMAKING AUTHORITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL SHOULD BE DELEGATED TO LAY COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FOR AT LEAST SOME NONPROFESSIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION FORUMS. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)