ARBITRATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CRIMINAL COURTS PHILADELPHIA 4-A PROJECT, AUGUST 1, 1973 - MARCH 1, 1974FINAL EVALUATION REPORT

• NCJ Number: 32640
• Author(s): B H HOFF
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 65 pages
• Contract Number(s): PH-183-73A
• Sponsoring Agency: Philadelphia Common Pleas and Municipal Court
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE IMPACT AND PROCESS ARE ASSESSED FOR THIS PROJECT WHICH SEEKS TO APPLY ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION TECHNIQUES TO SETTLE PRIVATE CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS FOR SUCH CASES AS DISPUTES BETWEEN NEIGHBORS OR ACQUAINTANCES.

Abstract

THE MUNICIPAL COURT TRIAL COMMISSIONER FIRST HEARING PRIVATE CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS DETERMINES WHETHER TO SEND THEM TO TRIAL OR, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES, ARBITRATION IN THE 4-A PROJECT. INFORMAL HEARINGS ARE HELD BY TRAINED ARBITRATORS, AND A CONSENT OR ARBITRATION AWARD IS MADE. THE GOAL OF THE 4-A PROJECT WAS TO RESOLVE THESE COMPLAINTS BY A MEANS MORE ECONOMIC AND SWIFT THAN COURT PROCESSING. EVALUATION OF THE PROCESS WAS UNDERTAKEN THROUGH PROJECT OBSERVATIONS AND INTERVIEWS. COST DATA WERE DERIVED FROM THE PROJECT BUDGET. TO EVALUATE IMPACT, COST AND CASE PROCESSING TIME WERE COMPARED FOR 4-A AND MUNICIPAL COURT CASES. DATA WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO ESTABLISH WHETHER ARBITRATION LED TO MORE LASTING RESOLUTION OF THESE DISPUTES, BUT SEVERAL FACTORS INDICATED THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE CASE. THE COMBINED CAPITAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND DIRECT COSTS OF PROCESSING A 4-A CASE WAS 126 DOLLARS, 18 DOLLARS LESS THAN JUST THE DIRECT COSTS OF A MUNICIPAL COURT TRIAL. WHILE BOTH PROJECT AND COURT REQUIRED SOME 60 DAYS FOR DISPOSITION OF A CASE, THE DATA SUGGESTED THAT PROJECT PROCESSING WAS SLIGHTLY SPEEDIER. MANAGEMENT AND RECORDKEEPING WERE FOUND TO BE EXCELLENT, AND CASELOADS WERE ALMOST UP TO PROJECTED LEVELS.