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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 06111991 - S.5 SS To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS s.... Contra �.. FROM: SUPERVISOR TOM POWERS Costa County June 11 1991 `�s • DATE: r " ` Criminal Justice Reform SUBJECT: SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County accept the following report on ways to increase the participation of people of color in the Contra Costa County criminal justice system and that said report should be forwarded to the Internal Operations Committee for further discussion. BACKGROUND: The West County Times ran a four-part series called the "Color of Justice" which pointed out some serious problems in terms of the participation of people of color. Clearly, it is in the interests of the people of Contra Costa County to have as fair and unbiased a judicial system as possible. To address these issues, the Board of Supervisors needs to develop ways to improve community participation, ensure adequate access to judicial facilities, promote the appointment of judges from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and form an advisory committee to begin looking at innovative solutions to the problems of representation of diverse groups in the judicial system. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON June 11, 1991 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: Internal Operations Cte. ATTESTED June 11, 1991 County Administrator PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR tn+Ha n n Ael BY �L�� DEPUTY LOCAL JUSTICE REFORM PACKAGE June 11, 1991 Introduction: There are several issues related to the justice system which can be solved, and I propose that several specific items be undertaken with the assistance of a Justice Committee composed of individuals in the system and the community to address these specific items . Often, many of the issues that are of concern to the public come to our attention in unusual ways, and it is important that we consider responding to them as best we can. Recently, a series of articles in one of the local newspapers brought to my attention issues in our justice system which appear to prevent access to a substantial amount of people in the community. As a result of this information, I think it is important that we not only explore the issues, but also resolutions to those issues simultaneously. Background: The justice system is composed of several units including local police, court/clerical operations, a jury system, courtroom operations ; and numerous support functions such as probation, traffic enforcement and the like. The justice system appears to the public as one unit working together and when its components begin to break down, the entire system deteriorates and the public loses faith in the system. 1 u There are ways we can work out problems and restore faith in the system while developing a more efficient and fair justice system both in appearance and in practice. In order to accomplish meaningful changes, it is clear that all of the parties in the process must undertake a sincere effort to analyze the issues, develop solutions and ultimately implement them. Some of them can be done early and without additional expense. Others, may take a. longer period of time and require some investment of public funds . I propose here to outline a series of possible actions and an organization by which the process can be achieved, monitored and implemented. ACTION ITEMS THAT CAN BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE 1 . A community outreach program to explain the inner workings, value and requirements of jury service in both the Municipal and Superior Courts . I would propose that members of the justice system and educators work with community organizations in order to develop an outreach program into the communities, perhaps schools, community centers, and other public meeting places to explain the jury system process . This should be done in elementary schools so that the process can begun to make the jury system process important to all, and also at the adult level so people will understand the obligations and purpose of jury service. 2 2 . That we develop a strong community base of support for continuation and expansion of the 30 Z Line from Richmond to Martinez. This line is being threatened with extinction as the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority would not fund its continued operation. The final date for its operation is scheduled for June 30, 1991 . The "Z Line" was a demonstration project by the transit .agencies and the County which was to be temporarily funded by them and ultimately transitioned into a transit operation. SHORT-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY DIRECTIVES 1 . That the Board of Supervisors should support Assemblyman Campbell 's legislation which would increase the payment of jury fees and reimbursements . 2 . That the courts provide within its Jury Summons information on transit operations including schedules and vouchers for bus transportation to courtrooms . 3 . That the departments of the justice system, primarily the courts - both Superior and Municipal, designate key career ladder positions in their operations for recruiting in the community minority and other underserved groups and individuals to be brought into public service through the West Contra Costa County Employment Center in the Bay Municipal Court Building. This operation has employed over 70 highly qualified minority and under employed individuals in career ladder positions in the 3 last three years. Some have been associated with the courts, but more need to be designated to ensure adequate local community representation. 4 . That the Board of Supervisors make a special effort to ensure that support for qualified minority representatives is achieved when local judicial elections occur and when appointments to judicial positions are available. In this case, encouragement by community organizations, the Bar Association, local public officials can insure more likely appointments of qualified minorities when judicial positions are filled by the Governor through the appointment process . This would include both Municipal and Superior Court bench appointments . 5 . That the Municipal and Superior Courts conduct additional classes not only in the courthouses but in the schools in the community in order to familiarize students with the people, the process and the obligation to be involved in the justice system. 6 . That schools develop extra curricular programs associated with bringing members of the justice system such as police, probation officers, clerical and attorneys into the schools to talk to social studies and other classes. This has been done in the past, but it has not been done enough. 7 . That the local police expand their DARE Program to include discussions about the entire justice system and the implications of community involvement in that system. 4 8. That the Board of Supervisors should work with the courts to expand the lists from which they currently draw jurors to ensure as broad a group as possible. Currently, the courts use voter registration and driver' s licenses to pull people for jury service. Obviously, this list does not cover all eligible jurors and may be biased against areas with lower rates of voter registration and licensed drivers . I would suggest that city directories should be added to the database. 9 . That the courts keep regular records on potential jurors and the areas where they live based on address or on census tract. Regular monitoring of excused jurors should also be done to determine whether there are problems that can be addressed to assist people in their efforts to serve their community through jury service. The courts should use this information to help monitor the progress of outreach efforts . LONGER RANGE REQUIREMENTS 1 . That a Jury Assembly Room of adequate size and facility be developed at the 100 - 37th Street building. Currently, jurors wander in the halls without a location for them relax and wait for jury service. An attractive room with perhaps a patio and other amenities for light snacks should be 0 developed. This will require additional funding and will take longer than the items described above. 2 . A long range program should be developed for expansion of the 5 Superior Courts to address West Contra Costa needs . State law requires a Superior Courtroom be maintained in the Richmond area. There is none. A county Superior Court complex which would include Municipal and Superior Courts sharing space and support facilities could be more economically developed. This obviously will take time and additional money together with planning. PERSONS TO BEGIN DEVELOPING THIS PROCESS 1 . A committee of professional persons associated with the justice system, including police, probation, judicial personnel, county administrative personnel, judicial clerical support personnel and administration should provide technical assistance to a broader community committee which would address local West County community needs for the justice system. A community committee composed of both professionals and members of community organizations such as religious and educational leaders should be established to identify short and long term goals that will improve access and functions of the justice system with community in mind. The Board of Supervisors should consider ways to provide support to the activities of this committee. 0 6