INNOVATION IN URBAN CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR COURTS (FROM POTENTIAL FOR REFORM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1974 BY HERBERT JACOB - SEE NCJ-19989)

• NCJ Number: 19994
• Author(s): L LONG
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 33 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

FOCUSES ON CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR COURTS EXAMINING THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS, ATTEMPTS TO INNOVATE IN THESE COURTS, AND REASONS WHY SOME COURTS HAVE INNOVATED MORE THAN OTHERS.

Abstract

A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO THE CHIEF JUDGE OF EACH CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR COURT IN AN AMERICAN CITY WITH A POPULATION OVER 100,000. TO EXAMINE INNOVATIONS AN INDEX OF INNOVATIVENESS WAS CONSTRUCTED. FROM THE INFORMATION GATHERED, THE AUTHOR FIRST PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR COURTS COVERING THE STAFFING, SALARY, STATE REPRESENTATION IN COURT, PROBATION SERVICES, AND BUDGET. ANALYSIS OF COURT INNOVATIONS SHOW THAT THE PROCESS OF PROFESSIONALIZATION OF JUDICIAL PERSONNEL IN CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR COURTS HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. THERE IS STRONG EVIDENCE THAT THESE COURTS FREQUENTLY STILL GIVE INADEQUATE ATTENTION TO THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANTS. THE THREE BEST PREDICTORS OF VARIANCE IN INNOVATIVENESS FOR THE ENTIRE SAMPLE OF COURTS WERE AMOUNT AND QUALITY OF COURT INTERACTION WITH LEAA-RELATED AGENCIES, CITY SIZE, AND LEVEL OF POLICE PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION.