4 On O en Ld Leader iU Asked Ask to improve 4 i Court I Improved traffic courts are possible only if civic leaders support the efforts of the bench and bar to achieve court reform reform reform re re- form Tom C C. C Clark Associate Justice of the U U. U S S. S Supreme Court told del delegates gates to the re recent recent recent cent Law and the Layman Con Conference Conference ference Terence in Miami Beach Justice Clark chairman of the Ule two day conference termed better traffic courts one of the k keys eys to greater highway sa safety Sponsored by the American Bar Association in cooperation with the Presidents President's Committee f for or Traffic Safety the meeting represents the latest move in ina ina a 20 year old nationwide drive dive for or traffic court improvement H Helping provide answers to the key question What can Citizen Leaders Do DoT were more than 1800 delegates representing 46 states and the District of Columbia SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS In In summarizing conference discussions U. U S. S Supreme Court Associate Justice William Wil Wll liam Ham J. J Brennan pointed out cut that the gr great at m majority a j 0 r it y of Americans form their first and only opinion of or the operation of our judicial system on their experience ex experience in the traffic traffie court since this is the only one with which they have leave a personal persona con tact pact Panels composed of oC outstanding ing ng legal and lay speakers brought out these points 1 While frequently consider considered ed cd inferior traffic courts should occupy an important place inI in in I the judicial system because of the influence the they exert on an our citizens 2 Traffic courts should be under the administration of judges who are members of the bar with special training in in traffic matters and should be staffed with qualified tors 3 Traffic courts should have adequate physical facilities and dignified opening ceremonies in order to build respect for the judicial system and encourage obedience to traffic laws 4 4 It is incumbent on the court to make sure that the defendant not only is acquaint acquainted ed with his rights but that he gets them Courts should employ em employ employ ploy all modern scientific equip equipment equipment equipment ment to assure justice for de fondants 5 5 The main objective of the traffic court is not the raising of revenue but the building of respect for the law Through their power to suspend and re le revoke voke yoke driver licenses the courts have their greatest weapon for accomplishing this objective Co Court rt officials were urged to launch educational programs to win community wide understanding understanding understanding under under- standing of their programs Methods 1 suggested for develop ng citizen interest included securing se curing press radio and tele television television television vision support in in th a ans ns of traffic courts speak ing citizen interest included se se- vision support in interpreting the aims of traffic courts speak speak- interested in traffic s safety a f e t y zen leaders advised of court policies setting up mock courts at meetings to demonstrate court procedure and explain defendant defendant de de- rights and h holding o 01 l d din i n g wide state conferences a and n d workshops to improve traffic court procedures Obstacles to better belter courts cited by delegates included crowded dockets the feo fee system system system tem under which many judges operate lack of sufficient funds outdated and unrealistic traffic laws political and personal favoritism favoritism favoritism fa fa- inconsistent penalties lack of oC legislative interest and disrespect for traffic laws by many motorists The American n Bar AssocIation Association tion leads a national program designed to upgrade the performance performance per per- of oC traffic courts and their personnel Through a standing committee the ABA furnishes technical assistance to municipalities counties and states Guideposts for the program are three sets of recommendations lions drawn by legal groups an and d public officials and considered d to be national standards Copies may maJY be obtained b by y writing the Standing Committee Commit Commit- tee ori on on Traffic Court Program American Bar Association 1155 East Sixtieth th Street Chicago Chicag o 37 Illinois