NCJ Number
45035
Date Published
1977
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM IN DADE COUNTY, FLA., ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE PROGRAM'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES ARE ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE MIAMI CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM HAS ITS MAIN OFFICE IN THE CITY JUSTICE BUILDING AND BRANCH OFFICES IN LOCAL LOWER COURT BUILDINGS. MOST OF THE PROGRAM'S REFERRALS ARE FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. TYPICAL CASES INVOLVE DOMESTIC DISPUTES, NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEMS, LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES, AND CERTAIN DOMESTIC FELONIES. HEARINGS TYPICALLY ARE HELD WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE COMPLAINANT'S INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE PROJECT. PROFESSIONAL MEDIATORS (PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIOLOGISTS, LAWYERS) CONDUCT THE MEDIATION SESSIONS. WHEN A SETTLEMENT IS REACHED, THE PARTIES SIGN A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WHICH, ALTHOUGH NOT ENFORCEABLE IN COURT, PROVIDES TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE SETTLEMENT. SOME CLIENTS ARE REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. THE PROGRAM IS STAFFED BY 8 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND 30 MEDIATORS. IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, THE PROGRAM HELD HEARINGS IN 3,349 OF THE 4,149 CASES IT SCREENED. OF THE CASES HEARD, 2,166 (65 PERCENT) CULMINATED IN A RESOLUTION. THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROGRAM MEETS CRITERIA FOR SELECTION AS AN EXEMPLARY PROJECT IS ASSESSED. THE PROGRAM'S MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS ARE COMPARED WITH THOSE OF SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN BOSTON, MASS.; COLUMBUS, OHIO; NEW YORK, N.Y.; ROCHESTER, N.Y.; AND SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. AMONG THE MIAMI PROGRAM'S STRENGTHS ARE ITS LARGE, DIVERSE CASELOAD AND ITS RAPID PROCESSING OF CASES. WEAKNESSES INCLUDE GAPS IN EVALUATIVE DATA AND FAILURE TO OBTAIN FOLLOWUP INFORMATION.