NCJ Number
34695
Journal
Judicature Volume: 59 Issue: 10 Dated: (MAY 1976) Pages: 472-477
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE ILLINOIS COURT WATCHING PROJECT ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE'S LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO EXAMINE THE REASONS WHY CITIZENS ARE LOSING RESPECT FOR THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.
Abstract
TWO HUNDRED THIRTY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS MONITORED BIG-CITY, SMALL-CITY, SUBURBAN AND RURAL COURTROOMS FOR FIVE MONTHS. THEY WATCHED TWENTY-TWO LOWER CRIMINAL COURTS IN FOUR COUNTIES DAILY, OR AS OFTEN AS THEY WERE IN SESSION, FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH JUNE 1975. THEY RECORDED INFORMATION ON MORE THAN 60,000 PROCEEDINGS. THE FINDINGS OFFER CONSIDERABLE INSIGHT INTO THE REASONS FOR THE LOSS OF RESPECT. THEY REVEAL THAT THE JUDGE IS THE KEY TO WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT APPEARS TO BE JUST IN THE EYES OF CITIZENS THROUGH HIS ABILITY TO SET AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH JUSTICE APPEARS TO BE DONE. OTHER IMPORTANT REASONS INCLUDE RUNDOWN FACILITIES, CROWDED DOCKETS, ASSEMBLY-LINE PROCEDURES, REPEATED CONTINUANCES, AND RUDE CLERKS AND BAILIFFS.