NCJ Number
48347
Date Published
1978
Length
163 pages
Annotation
WAYS OF MAKING THE LEGAL SYSTEM MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE AVERAGE CITIZEN THROUGH THE CREATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS ARE EXAMINED, AND DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PILOT PROJECT ARE MADE.
Abstract
THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION SPONSOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PILOT NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER IN THE UPTOWN-EDGEWATER AREA, A DIVERSE, INTEGRATED NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY. ABOUT 41 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS FOREIGN BORN, AND MANY HAVE DIFFICULTY SPEAKING ENGLISH. IN ADDITION, THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS A SIZABLE POPULATION OF ELDERLY PERSONS. AN ANALYSIS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE RECORDS SHOWS A LARGE NUMBER OF MISDEMEANOR CHARGES OF THE TYPE SUITABLE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ARBITRATION. THIS REPORT SURVEYS THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER CENTERS, PROPOSES A NONPROFIT CORPORATION TO RUN THE PILOT CENTER, AND SETS CRITERIA FOR A BOARD OF DIRECTORS. REQUIREMENTS FOR CASES TO BE REFERRED TO THE CENTER ARE DETAILED, AND LIMITATIONS DERIVED FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE PRO SE COURT ARE LISTED. THE CENTER'S ROLE IN DOMESTIC DISPUTES IS DISCUSSED. INTAKE PROCEDURES ARE SPELLED OUT FOR CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES. THE RESOLUTION PROCESS, INCLUDING A COOLING OFF PERIOD AND A MEANS OF ARBITRATION, IS SET FORTH. FOLLOWUP IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS. QUALIFICATIONS OF HEARING OFFICERS, THEIR TRAINING, DUE PROCESS, EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT, AND FUNDING ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. APPENDIXES PROVIDE A LIST OF UPTOWN-EDGEWATER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES CONTACTED IN FEBRUARY 1978, SAMPLE RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS, SAMPLE FORMS USED BY EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS, AND AN EXCERPT FROM A STUDY ENTITLED 'NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS.' THE DOCUMENT IS EXTENSIVELY FOOTNOTED. TABLES PRESENT SURVEY DATA.