NCJ Number
26664
Date Published
1971
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A DOCUMENTARY ON THE PROBLEMS OF COURT CONGESTION, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF THE CAUSES OF COURT DELAY IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL COURTS AND FIVE SUGGESTED AREAS OF REFORM TO RELIEVE COURT DELAYS.
Abstract
FIGURES ON COURT DELAY IN VARIOUS AMERICAN CITIES ARE FIRST REVIEWED. PROBLEMS OF EXCESSIVE PRETRIAL DETENTION FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD BAIL AND EXPLOITATION OF COURT DELAYS BY CRIMINALS WHO COMMIT FURTHER CRIMES WHILE OUT ON BAIL ARE REVIEWED. THE SYSTEM OF PLEA BARGAINING IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH A REPRESENTATION OF AN ACTUAL PLEA NEGOTIATION. THE EXTREME DELAYS IN CIVIL COURT CASES AND THE PROBLEMS CAUSED TO LITIGANTS BY THESE DELAYS ARE ALSO REVIEWED. SOME REASONS FOR THIS INCREASE IN COURT DELAY - POPULATION INCREASES, A GROWING NUMBER OF DRUG RELATED CASES, AND CITY PRESSURES - ARE EXPLORED. FIVE AREAS OF REFORM ARE DISCUSSED: TIGHTENING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, IMPROVING COURT MANAGEMENT, ELIMINATING CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES, LIMITING APPEALS, AND LIMITING USE AND SIZE OF JURIES.