North American Initiatives in Court and Victim Support Services (From Court Support and Advisory Services, P 107-117, 1987, Jane Mugford, ed. -- See NCJ-107566)

• NCJ Number: 107571
• Author(s): J David
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper describes witness coordination and appeals advice programs in Canada and a multidoor court house project in the United States, drawing implications for similar programs in Australia.

Abstract

The Ottawa Witness Coordinator Program, run by a full-time coordinator and two full-time assistants, provides information on case processing to potential witnesses. The program notifies witnesses when they are to testify or that they are not needed to testify (in case of a guilty plea). The program has been particularly beneficial in reducing the amount of wasted time for police witnesses. Ontario's Appeals Advice Program ensures that victims know about appeal hearings for their cases before the media reports them. The Multi-Door Court House Project sponsored by the American Bar Association, is a pilot project that involves intake and screening at a central location to channel disputes to appropriate resolution mechanisms, which include private negotiation, public negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication. The three project sites have successfully developed intake processes. The next phase is to improve dispute resolution mechanisms. Such a program would be appropriate for Australian jurisdictions. 11 references.