The Wall Street Journal has a terrific piece on the day-to-day workings of New York City’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, a court that deals with nearly 1 million cases a year but remains virtually unknown. The court is charged mostly with adjudicating minor criminal offenses and regulatory violations, like errant recyclables and excessive noise. But the job is important: many people who do not address a summons promptly can later find themselves in civil court with much larger fines.
The court has taken an aggressively friendly approach to encourage the accused to show up and contest their case, advertising its existence at swimming pools and community events, and even offering tote bags. And it’s worth it to show up — almost 50% of those who do win their cases.
“We have one goal,” said Deputy Commissioner John Castelli. “To ensure people get due process.”
I absolutely love this. A taste of due process at this level ensures justice and vastly increases public appreciation for the courts and the legal system.
(Access to the story may require subscription.)
The Interdependent Third Branch 