Salt Lake Telegram | 1934-04-04 | Page 4 | Critics Pan 'Justice' as it is Dispensed

Critic Ci l lam an JUstice As it Is Dispensed Questionable justice from the J.P. J. J P. P courts as they are now operated is indicated in recent cent reports from a number ot of states slates according to the March Issue sue ot of State Government of tidal magazine of at the American Legislators Legislators Leg Leg- association Among the criticisms of the jus tices ot of the peace are arc 1 The large surplus ot of justices In MichIgan out or of justices In six counties it has been found that only 21 ever did any judicial busi busi- ness New York state and Cook county coun ty Ill report less than 50 per cent ot of their justices performing their functions 2 2 In many slates sister J. J P. P still stands sunds for Cor judgment ot of the plaintiff survey sur sur- vey shows In Mississippi only two per cent ot of the cases in J. J P. P courts were decided in the defendants defendant's defend defend- ants tnt's favor over a period of time Ohio had tour four per cent defendants defendant's successes in civil cases md and about the same proportion in 1239 crIminal cases 3 3 Justice has been distorted by bythe bythe the fee system It lc ic hard for fora a justice jus jus- tice to be impartial in decisIon when he heLs is paid by the plaintiff In California Calf Cal where the fee s system stem has been abolished and an annual salary substituted the number of oC cases heard by individual justices still ranges from Crom seven to per year tr 4 Records are Inadequate in many states Some justices keep none at all 5 Qualifications for the office of justice ot of the peace are not specified by most ot of the states To replace the typical rural mag a istrate-a man of at between 40 and 60 years with only a common school education ed ed- who has never held any other political office and runs ruru his private business on the Pro side fessor E. E R. R Sunderland University of Michigan Law school r recommends om mends A county court properly organIzed organized organ organ- and housed havIng a trained judge a competent clerk office equipment sufficient for the keepIng ot of proper records and sitting at such times Umes and places as the needs of the community should Indicate Indica e. e