NCJ Number
9792
Date Published
1970
Length
15 pages
Annotation
RELIEF OF COURT CONGESTION IS CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB OF THE COURTS TODAY.
Abstract
COURT ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS WERE INSTITUTED IN THE RECORDER'S COURT OF THE CITY OF DETROIT, ONE OF THE BUSIEST CRIMINAL COURTS IN THE COUNTRY, FROM A FIVE MONTHS PROCESS IN 1968 WITH UNNECESSARY NUMBER OF TYPING STEPS AND PREPARATION OF ALL CASES FOR TRIAL, ALTHOUGH OVER EIGHTY PERCENT OF THEM WOULD NEVER GO TO TRIAL, TO THE NEW SYSTEM, THE TIME HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM WARRANT RECOMMENDATION TO THE ARRAIGNMENT TO TEN DAYS. THEREAFTER A PRE-TRIAL DATE IS SET FOR THIRTY DAYS HENCE, AT WHICH TIME PLEA NEGOTIATIONS ARE ENTERED INTO. ADVANTAGES TO COURT ADMINISTRATION INCLUDE THE SAVING OF AN AVERAGE OF FORTY-FIVE POLICE DETECTIVE HOURS EVERY DAY, ELIMINATION OF THE NECESSITY FOR MORE THAN ONE TYPIST, REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THE DEFENDANT HAS TO APPEAR IN COURT, AND BRINGING TO TRIAL OF THE DEFENDANT FIVE MONTHS SOONER.