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Citizen Court Monitoring
HISTORY
OF PROGRAM
In 1975, the Fund for Modern Courts pioneered an initiative designed
to give New York citizens a powerful voice in how their courts are
run. This groundbreaking program, known as Citizen Court Monitoring,
is straightforward: From around the state, groups of non-lawyer
volunteers observe court proceedings on a regular basis. The monitors
evaluate the courts from the point of view of those outside the
system, and recommend improvements to make the courts more efficient
and user-friendly for the average person. The monitors' findings
and recommendations are then published by Modern Courts and released
to court administrators, judges, court personnel, lawmakers, bar
associations, civic groups, and the media.
For a
more than a quarter of a century, Citizen Court Monitoring has been
the centerpiece of Modern Courts' efforts to involve the public
in improving the administration of justice. Our award-winning program
has been cited by the American Bar Association as one the country's
most effective projects "in bringing problems to light and
proposing changes to correct shortcomings." The National Center
for State Courts has applauded it as one of the "most well-run
court monitoring programs in the nation." The American Judicature
Society, in presenting Modern Courts with its Justice Award, described
it as "the catalyst for virtually every worthwhile judicial
improvement in New York State," and "the model for jurisdictions
elsewhere striving to make the justice system more responsive to
citizen needs."
NATIONAL
INFLUENCE
Citizen court monitoring is gaining attention across the nation.
As the pioneer in this effort, Modern Courts remains the standard-bearer,
providing information and assistance to groups in other states that
seek to evaluate and improve their courts. Modern Courts participated
in the landmark first-ever national conference on court monitoring,
co-sponsored by WATCH of Minneapolis and the Santa Fe Court Monitors,
and held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since the conference, Modern Courts
continues to share information with other groups and to provide
guidance to those seeking to launch new programs.
ONGOING
PROJECTS
Modern
Courts has recently completed a monitoring project of the Family
Courts in Washington and Warren Counties. In the Spring and
Summer of 2010, Modern Courts will be monitoring the Family Court
in Suffolk County.
Court
Monitoring Forms for Family Court
Forms for Warren and Washington
Counties
2010 Family Court Monitoring
Program
Family
Court Case by Case Monitoring Form
Family
Court Overview Form
Modern Courts' monitors will continue
their work to address problems in courts around the state, and to
improve the administration of justice for all New Yorkers.
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