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COURTS FOR THE COMMON MAN (FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE - LAW AND POLITICS, 1972, BY G F COLE - SEE NCJ-25794)

NCJ Number
25810
Author(s)
H JAMES
Date Published
1972
Length
17 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE TYPICAL PROCEDURES, FACILITIES, PERSONNEL, AND ABUSES OF JUSTICE IN THE LOWER COURT SYSTEMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
Abstract
SUCH CONDITIONS AS LACK OF COURTROOM DECORUM, DISREGARD OF COURTROOM PROCEDURES, IMPROPER FINING PROCEDURES, DISREGARD OF THE RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS, GROSSLY INADEQUATE FACILITIES, LACK OF RECORDS AND IMPOSSIBLE CASELOADS ARE DESCRIBED. THE AUTHOR OBSERVES THAT MOST DEFENDANTS IN THESE COURTS ARE POOR AND ARE TREATED WITH LITTLE RESPECT, WHILE BEING GIVEN ONLY A LIMITED VERSION OF WHAT IS MEANT BY DUE PROCESS.