NCJ Number
146862
Date Published
1992
Length
84 pages
Annotation
Three of North Carolina's 19 mediation programs were evaluated.
Abstract
Focus was on misdemeanor cases involving interpersonal disputes referred to programs from district court; these cases constitute a majority of mediated cases statewide. Three counties with mediation programs-Durham, Henderson, and Iredell-were matched with similar counties without-New Hanover, Rutherford, and Davidson, respectively. Researchers followed 1,421 cases filed in 1990 that were eligible for mediation, and interviewed selected complainants and defendants about their experiences with mediation. Only 22.8 percent of eligible cases were selected from court for the mediation program. The main reason appeared to be that disputants did not know about the programs; some did know but refused to participate. Findings suggest that mediation programs can substantially increase their utilization rates by improving their intake strategies. Henderson County's program had a much higher referral rate than did the other two counties, due to its extensive system of obtaining cases, involving 1) personal contact with disputants; 2) review of recently served arrest warrants; and 3) review of court dockets a few days in advance. Disputants generally reported that they were satisfied with the mediation program. 4 tables, 10 figures, 1 appendix, and 24 references