NCJ Number
86789
Date Published
1982
Length
36 pages
Annotation
The New York City criminal justice system suffers from a lack of comprehensive planning, misplaced priorities, ineffective use of resources, and poor coordination among the system's various components.
Abstract
The city should pattern jury selection after the method used in Federal courts by granting trial judges discretionary power to conduct the entire questioning of prospective jurors. The 36 Court of Claims judgeships created under a 1973 law -- which also mandated their elimination of term, death, or retirement -- should be retained. Grand jury proceedings which duplicate prior felony hearings should be eliminated, defendants' ability to appeal based on denial of motion to suppress evidence should be curtailed, and judges should be appointed rather than elected. The Family Court Act should be amended so that the Family Court could handle all violations committed by all juveniles and secure facilities for juveniles should be built. Other recommendations support the State's takeover of all probation services in New York City and other localities, a single district attorney screening of cases to eliminate those where charges are likely to be reduced or dismissed. A list of witnesses who testified at the hearing is included.