NCJ Number
59398
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Law Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (1974) Pages: 35-51
Date Published
1974
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS ARE EXAMINED, CONCENTRATING ON THE UNIQUE PROBLEMS OF JUSTICE IN RURAL AREAS.
Abstract
TWO BASIC SOCIOLOGICAL FACTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PECULIAR DIFFICULTIES INHERENT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF RURAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE. FIRST, THE RAPID PACE OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTS IS ABSENT, WITH AN APPARENT LACK OF INCENTIVE OR STIMULUS TO CHANGE. CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDES CONTINUE TO RESIST INTRUSIONS INTO THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER. SECONDLY, THE ANONYMITY OF CITY LIFE IS NOT FOUND IN RURAL AREAS. EVERYONE IS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE LIVES AND AFFAIRS OF NEIGHBORS. FOR THIS REASON, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS SUBJECTIVE AND TENDS TO PRODUCE DIFFERENT RESULTS FROM ITS URBAN COUNTERPART. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS DEPENDENT UPON THEIR FINANCING. MOST RURAL COUNTIES CANNOT AFFORD EXTENSIVE POLICE OR SHERIFF'S PROTECTION AND THUS RELY ON THE OFFICERS TO SUPPLY THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT. FREQUENTLY, SUCH AGENCIES ARE AVAILABLE ONLY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DURING WEEKDAYS. RURAL OFFICERS RELY ON THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, RATHER THAN ON EXPENSIVE TECHNIQUES. THEY ALSO RELY ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC, SINCE IN RURAL AREAS THE VICTIM IS MORE LIKELY TO RECOGNIZE THE OFFENDER. BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT FUNDING, MOST RURAL DISTRICTS ARE UNABLE TO EMPLOY A FULL-TIME DISTRICT ATTORNEY, INSTEAD, THE PART-TIME ATTORNEY MUST CONTINUE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE DESPITE THE POSSIBILITY FOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. RURAL CRIMINAL ADJUDICATION IS AFFECTED BY THE JUDGES' FAMILIARITY WITH THE BACKGROUND OF THE DEFENDANTS AND THE VICTIMS. MOST JUDGES STRIVE TO CONDUCT FAIR TRIALS, AND COMMUNITY ATTITUDES APPEAR TO ENHANCE THE CONDUCT OF RURAL JURIES RATHER THAN DETRACT FROM IT. INADEQUATE FINANCING REMAINS AN OBSTACLE TO EFFECTIVE REFORM OF RURAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.