NCJ Number
15156
Date Published
1974
Length
77 pages
Annotation
PROGRAM REPORT FOR A PROJECT OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE 'HEARING PROCESS' OUTSIDE OF NORMAL COURT PROCEDURES BY WHICH CITIZENS CAN ARBITRATE THEIR DIFFERENCES.
Abstract
IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, HEARINGS ARE COORDINATED BY PROSECUTORS AND CONDUCTED BY LAW STUDENTS FROM A NEARBY UNIVERSITY. THE HEARING OFFICER ACTS AS A FACILITATOR IN INTERPRETING EACH PARTY'S POINT OF VIEW, IDENTIFYING THE REAL BASIS OF THE CONFLICT, AND SUGGESTING POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE PARTIES CANNOT REACH AN AGREEMENT. IF THE SITUATION IS PARTICULARLY VOLATILE, THE PROSECUTOR OR HEARING OFFICER MAY ALSO WARN OF POSSIBLE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CONTINUATION OF THE CONFLICT. THE CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CONCEPT HAS ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ASIDE FROM THOSE AFFORDED THE COMPLAINING AND RESPONDING PARTIES. HANDLING MINOR CASES SUCH AS SIMPLE ASSAULTS, BAD CHECKS, AND FAMILY DISPUTES IN A SUPERVISED SETTING OUTSIDE OF THE TRADITIONAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM ALLEVIATES CASELOAD PRESSURE ON THE COURT AND PERMITS A HIGHER DEGREE OF ATTENTION TO SERIOUS CRIMES. MOREOVER, HEARINGS CAN BE CONDUCTED AT A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER COST THAN COURTROOM PROCEEDINGS. THE COLUMBUS MODEL INCORPORATES A LINK WITH COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, PROVIDING A REFERRAL SERVICE TO AGENCIES DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH SPECIFIC PROBLEMS THAT MAY REQUIRE MORE SPECIALIZED OR LONG-TERM ATTENTION THAN A HEARING CAN AFFORD. THIS REPLICATION MANUAL SURVEYS THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SERVICES, EVALUATION, AND COSTS, AND PRESENTS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES TO ASSIST ANY JURISDICTION INVESTIGATING OR IMPLEMENTING A SIMILAR PROGRAM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)