COMMUNITY COURTS - AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL CRIMINAL ADJUDICATION

• NCJ Number: 30043
• Journal: American University Law Review Volume: 24 Issue: 4-5 Dated: (SUMMER 1975) Pages: 1253-1291
• Author(s): E A FISHER
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 39 pages
• Corporate Author: American University
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

'COMMUNITY COURT' IS DEFINED AS A LAY BODY DEALING WITH A POPULATION THAT HAS OBJECTIVE FEATURES IN COMMON, WITH JURISDICTION OVER OFFENSES OTHERWISE CRIMINAL, AND WITH THE POWER TO IMPOSE MEANINGFUL SANCTIONS.

Abstract

THIS COMMENT DESCRIBES CRIMINAL LAW REFORM PROJECTS IN THE UNITED STATES, SUCH AS THE NIGHT PROSECUTOR PROGRAM IN COLUMBUS (OH), AND THEN EXAMINES SOME EXAMPLES OF SPECIALIZED COMMUNITY COURTS - UNIVERSITY COURTS, PRISON DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS, AND LABOR UNION DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS. ALSO ANALYZED IS THE FOREIGN EXPERIENCE WITH INFORMAL COURTS, SPECIFICALLY THE SOVIET COMRADES' COURTS, THE CUBAN POPULAR TRIBUNALS, THE CHINESE MEDIATION COMMITTEES, AND THE EAST GERMAN SOCIAL COURTS. IN ADDITION, THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMMUNITY COURT CONCEPT IN THE UNITED STATES IS DISCUSSED AND A MODEL COMMUNITY COURT PROPOSED.