NCJ Number
58481
Journal
COURT SYSTEMS DIGEST Volume: 3 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
INNOVATIONS IN COURTROOM SETTINGS AND TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS TELEVISION IN THE COURTROOM, CHANGES IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, SENTENCING AIMED AT SOCIAL RESTITUTION, AND LEGAL INSURANCE ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, NEW CONCEPTS ARE APPEARING WITH REGARD TO THE COURTROOM. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CHANGES ARE PRODUCING COURTROOMS THAT ARE SURPRISINGLY DIFFERENT FROM MOST TRADITIONAL SETTINGS. THE KING COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN SEATTLE, WASH., CONTAINS COURTROOMS THAT ARE SMALL AND CIRCULAR IN SHAPE, DECORATED IN EARTH TONES INCLUDING CREAM COLORED WALLS, AND ARRAYED WITH GOLD AND BROWN CARPETS. JUDGES APPROVE OF THE MOVEABLE FIXTURES, PODIUM, AND WITNESS BOX, ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO SEE EACH OTHER. TELEVISION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE COURTROOM IN FLORIDA IN 1977 WHEN VIDEOTAPING OF PROCEEDINGS ALLOWED VIEWERS TO SEE THE TRIAL OF A TEENAGE MURDERER; 13 STATES NOW PERMIT TELEVISION IN THEIR COURTS, AND MORE ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SUIT. IN ADDITION, SENTENCING APPROPRIATE TO THE OFFENDER IS IN USE IN PORTLAND, ORE., WHERE A TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL CONVICTED OF DRUNKEN DRIVING WAS SENTENCED TO PERFORM A SERIES OF EFFICIENCY STUDIES FOR THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THUS BENEFITING BOTH SOCIETY AND THE OFFENDER. THE RISING COSTS OF LEGAL SERVICES HAVE RESULTED IN THE EXPANSION OF PREPAID LEGAL INSURANCE, MORE NO-FAULT LAWS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF DISPUTES, (I.E., DIVORCE ACTIONS), AND LEGAL CLINICS. FINALLY, EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE, WHICH BARS PROSECUTORS IN CRIMINAL CASES FROM USING ANY EVIDENCE THAT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH ILLEGAL SEARCH OR SEIZURE, ARE CONTINUING. CURRENTLY, STRONG, ARGUMENTS ARE PRESENTED BY BOTH DEFENDERS AND CRITICS OF THE RULE. (LWM)