Consensus Question #10 - Courtroom Procedures and Access.
The current League of Women Votersof Illinois position is stated below, and a proposed addition to the existing position follows.
The League supports improvement in courtroom procedures that serve to minimize confusion and delay and increase fairness and efficiency. Trials should be prompt, with a limit on the time the accused can be held in jail prior to trial. Sufficient numbers of well-trained judges, assistant state’s attorneys, public defenders, and other court personnel are essential. Uniform standards should be used for appointing public defenders.
Consensus Question (a proposed addition to the existing position):
Should barriers to and within the courthouse and courtrooms be eliminated whenever possible?
PRO: The Supreme Court of Illinois has produced a comprehensive report of Illinois Courtroom Standards that applies to trial courtrooms, judge’s chambers and reception areas, court administrative offices, attorney/client conference rooms, prisoner holding areas, jury deliberation rooms, and assembly rooms. These standards must be followed and exist to remove barriers that can interfere with just proceedings. Barriers may include physical impediments to people with disabilities such as hearing, vision, or speech. County boards are required to comply with the Standards.
All barriers to the courtroom should be eliminated as indicated by the Illinois Courtroom Standards report.
CON: Removing barriers can be costly and can require major upgrades to older buildings. It is not necessary for all of the changes to be made. Changes made should be only the bare minimum to allow courts to function.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Illinois Courtroom Standards – Minimum Courtroom Standards in the State of Illinoishttps://courts.illinois.gov/supremecourt/Policies/Pdf/Courtroom_Standard...
Public Act 100-0947
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DOCNum=3503&GAID=14&DocTy... 6&SessionID=91&GA=100
If you would like more information on this question, please contact Megan Willis, LWV of Naperville at meganwillis86 [at] gmail.com.
