NCJ Number
52277
Journal
University of Detroit Journal of Urban Law Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 755-781
Date Published
1978
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF (1) VIDEOTAPE INSTEAD OF LIVE TRIAL TESTIMONY, (2) OF A VIDEO TELEPHONE NETWORK WITHIN A COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND (3) INTERACTIVE CABLE TELEVISION TO SOLICIT 'GRASSROOTS' OPINIONS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THREE ARTICLES DEALING WITH SEPARATE ENTERPRISES INVOLVING INNOVATIVE USES OF COMMUNICATIONS IN THE DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES ARE SUMMARIZED AND ANALYZED. THE ARTICLES HAVE IN COMMON THEIR FOCUS ON A CHANGE IN THE EXTENT OF VISUAL AND AUDITORY PRESENTATION OF PERSONS TO ONE ANOTHER AND CONCERN WITH THE FORMS OF VIDEO TECHNOLOGY. THE ARTICLE BY MILLER, FONTES, AND DAHNKE (NCJ-52276) DEALING WITH THE MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ON THE USE OF VIDEOTAPE IN COURT IS APPROACHED THROUGH A DISCUSSION OF THE ADVANTAGES CLAIMED FOR TOTAL VIDEOTAPE TRIAL PRESENTATIONS TO JURIES. THE RESEARCH TESTING THESE BENEFITS IS BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED, AND THE AUTHORS' GENERAL CONCLUSION THAT THE USE OF VIDEOTAPE IN COURTROOM SETTINGS DOES NOT EXERT A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TRIAL PARTICIPANTS AND JURORS IS SUPPORTED. THE ARTICLE BY WARNER ELIOT (NCJ-38950) DESCRIBING AND EVALUATING A VIDEO TELEPHONE NETWORK OPERATING WITHIN THE BRANCHES OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZ., CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS SUMMARIZED TO DESCRIBE THE USES OF THE NETWORK IN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN JAILED CLIENTS AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, THE ARRAIGNMENT OF JAILED DEFENDANTS, ACCESS TO THE POLICE INFORMATION BUREAU, AND REMOTE TESTIMONY AT TRIALS AND HEARINGS. IT IS BELIEVED THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE USE OF VIDEO TELEPHONE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL INVOLVE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MARKET DECISIONS OF TELEPHONE COMPANIES. MITCHELL MOSS'S ARTICLE ON AN EXPERIMENT TO TEST THE EFFECTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS' INTERACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN A CABLE TELEVISION PROJECT CONCERNED WITH SENIOR CITIZEN UTILIZATION OF CERTAIN SOCIAL SERVICES, PRIMARILY FOOD STAMPS, IS BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. IT IS INDICATED THAT THE PROJECT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE THAT SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS WHICH UTILIZE THE SUBSTANCE OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH SUBJECTS FOR WHOM INTERVENTION OCCURS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE THAN THOSE INITIATED UNILATERALLY BY GOVERNMENT ACTION. IN ADDITION TO THE THREE ARTICLES MENTIONED, VIDEO BROADCAST OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS AND MANAGING INFORMATION IN THE FEDERAL COURTS ARE ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. IT IS GENERALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS YET TO ACCUMULATE SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE TO LAUNCH ANY EXTENSIVE PROGRAM USING VIDEO TECHNOLOGY IN COMMUNICATIONS. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED. (RCB)