NCJ Number
48793
Editor(s)
R HARRIS
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
IN THIS SET OF 2 FILMSTRIPS AND 2 AUDIO CASSETTES, THE DEFICIENCIES OF THE U.S. COURT SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED BY ATTORNEYS, COURT RESEARCHERS, AND JUDGES. TOPICS INCLUDE THE INEQUALITY OF JUSTICE AND THE NEED FOR COURT REFORMS.
Abstract
THE NARRATOR OUTLINES THE CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW AND DISCUSSES THE IDEALIZED TRIAL PROCEDURE TO BE USED IN U.S. COURTS. THEN THE NARRATOR INTERVIEWS THE SPEAKERS ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS' PERFORMANCE REGARDING THESE SUBJECTS. THE REPLY IS THAT THE COURT SYSTEM IS INEFFICIENT, SLOW, AND OFTEN UNFAIR. APPARENT PROBLEMS ARE THE VAST NUMBER OF CASES PILING UP FOR PROCESSING BY ANTIQUATED STATE COURT SYSTEMS; THE GREAT AMOUNT OF PAPERWORK ACCOMPANYING A CASE WHICH MUST BE HANDLED BY INADEQUATE, AND SOMETIMES INCOMPETENT, PERSONNEL; THE EXISTENCE OF OLD AND OUTDATED COURTROOMS; AND THE INEFFICIENT USE OF JURORS WHO SPEND 60 TO 70 PERCENT OF JURY TIME WAITING. ALTHOUGH CRIES FOR COURT REFORM WERE VOICED AS EARLY AS THE 19TH CENTURY, THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED. THE SECOND PART OF THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES MAINLY ON THE INEQUALITY OF JUSTICE WITHIN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. BAIL COSTS ARE HIGH AND CAN BE PAID ONLY BY WEALTHY DEFENDANTS WHILE THEIR POOR COUNTERPARTS SIT IN JAIL FOR MONTHS; GOOD LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS EXPENSIVE AND THE POOR CANNOT AFFORD IT; AND MANY PERSONS ENTER GUILTY PLEAS WHETHER OR NOT THEY FEEL THEY ARE GUILTY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE TIME OR EXPENSE LOST IN WAITING FOR THEIR TRIALS. COURT REFORMS ENACTED IN OHIO ARE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS LEAA PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF COURT PERSONNEL. (DAG)