Videotaped Misdemeanor First Appearances - Fairness From the Defendant's Perspective (From Justice and the Media, P 305-320, 1984, Ray Surette, ed. - See NCJ-95768)

• NCJ Number: 95784
• Author(s): R Surette; W C Terry
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The use of video technologies in the courtroom does not appear to have a significant effect upon the defendant's perceptions of the courtroom, of fairness, or of the ability to argue the case, ask questions, talk to judges and lawyers, and enter pleas.

Abstract

However, the use of video affects some individuals' perceptions. Study data came from almost 400 defendants in Dade County (Florida) who were making first appearances for misdemeanors. Closed circuit television was used for some of these appearances; the rest had traditional hearings. The video and nonvideo groups were similar in age, gender, education, employment, ethnic distribution, sentence, and number of charged offenses. However, the nonvideo group had fewer prior court appearances and lower average incomes than the video group. Most defendants felt that the courts had treated them fairly, although a large minority felt that the courts had failed to treat them in a fair manner. Case dispositions affected the perceptions of fairness, as did the number of prior court appearances. Attitudes were more strongly influenced by racial and ethnic group membership, case outcomes, and number of prior hearings than by the use of video equipment. Another defendant population might have produced different results. Data tables and a list of 29 references are supplied.