NCJ Number
43815
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THREE JUDGES, A MAGISTRATE, AND A SENIOR DEPUTY REGISTRAR DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN ENSURING TIMELY, FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AFGHANISTAN, SINGAPORE, WESTERN SAMOA, AND JAPAN.
Abstract
THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM AFGHANISTAN DISCUSSES THE PROBLEM FACED BY COURTS IN THAT COUNTRY WHEN ASKED BY THE PROSECUTION TO HEAR CASES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETELY INVESTIGATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW. THE PROBLEM IS ATTRIBUTED PRIMARILY TO A LACK OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ON THE PART OF MOST POLICE OFFICERS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM ARE NOTED. A REPORT ON SINGAPORE'S FILTER COURT SYSTEM DESCRIBES THE PRACTICE OF ASSIGNING ONE COURT MORE CASES THAN IT CAN HEAR, IN ANTICIPATION THAT THE EXTRA CASES EVENTUALLY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER COURTS THAT HAVE DISPOSED OF THEIR CASES. THE OVER-SCHEDULED COURT IS KNOWN AS THE FILTER COURT. THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM WESTERN SAMOA DISCUSSES THE FAILURE OF OVERSEAS-TRAINED MAGISTRATES TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SAMOAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS IN APPLYING THE LAW. PAPERS BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM JAPAN DISCUSS THE PURPOSE OF BAIL, THE PREVENTION OF REPETITION OF OFFENSES AS GROUNDS FOR REFUSING BAIL, AND THE INADEQUACY OF INFORMATION USED BY JAPANESE COURTS IN SENTENCING.