NCJ Number
13512
Journal
Judicature Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: (JUNE-JULY 1973) Pages: 26-29
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
REBUTTAL OF PROPOSAL FOR NONJUDICIAL TRIBUNALS TO HANDLE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, CITING OFFENDER'S RIGHT TO JUDICIAL TREATMENT AND MODERN COURT'S ABILITY TO HANDLE CASELOADS.
Abstract
THE ASSIGNMENT OF NON-CRIMINAL TRAFFIC CASES TO AREAS OUTSIDE THE COURT, TO NONJUDICIAL AGENCIES, OR THE PROPOSED EVALUATION OF TRAFFIC COURTS BY SUCH AGENCIES AS A STATE DIVISON OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS SEEN AS UNNECESSARY AND UNWISE. THE AUTHOR CITES IMPROVED COURT ORGANIZATION, IN CHICAGO'S TRAFFIC COURT, TO PROVE THE COURT'S ABILITY TO HANDLE THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC CASES, AND SUGGESTS COURT MODERNIZATION AND UNIFICATION RATHER THAN SPLITTING COURT JURISDICTION INTO PETTY TRIBUNALS. TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS ARE SEEN AS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS IN HARM TO OTHERS AND PUNISHMENT TO OFFENDERS, POSSIBLY LICENSE REVOCATION. IN FAIRNESS TO THE OFFENDER'S RIGHT TO DEFEND HIMSELF ON EVEN THE SMALLEST VIOLATION, THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT THESE CASES SHOULD BE UNDER COURT JURISDICTION. ALSO, ANY SUPERVISION OF TRAFFIC COURTS BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY IS SEEN AS AN INVASION OF JUDICIAL AUTHORITY.