Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-27

JURY Observation-Disclosures TO TRY MINOR
CAsEs-A REPORT BY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY
PADGErT
The Senate bill proposing to do away with
the Police Court of this city and to establish
eight magistrates courts in its stead has been
considered, but not approved, by the District
Commissioners. The Commissioners have sent
to the Senate District committee a bill pre-
pared in the Office of Attorney Riddle propos-
ing to retain the Police Court, with provision
for jury trials, and to establish in addition
magistrates courts to facilitate the trials of
minor police cases.
The bill provides for police magistrates to be
commissioned by the Supreme Court of the Dis
OF the magistrates and their compensation are
left blank in the bill as prepared in the attOr-
ney's office: The salaries are to be paid by the
commissioners. The Commissioners shall as
sign SAID magistrates for duty among the dill
ferent police precincts. The magistrates shall
clusively cognizable by the Police Court,
except offenses against the Sunday and
license He, laws and regulations Of the
issue all forms of process necessary to the exer-
else OF their jurisdiction. Fines, penalties for
textures .s and costs imposed or taxed by the
the collector OF the District. Any party deem
ing himself aggrieved by the Judgment of any
Court. The judge of the Police Court is author thor
lied TO certify any question of law arising in
the course Of any cause pending before him to
be heard by the Supreme Court of the District
in general term before proceeding further
with the cause. In all cases of appeal to
the Police Court, and in all causes Of which
that court has now original and exclusive in.
risdictiOn, trial shall be had by the Judge of the
court and jury OF twelve persons, except in
cases where the person charged valves his
right to trial by jury. 1t is provided that Jurors
drawn for service in the Police Court shall serve
LOT term OF two weeks, and receive as COM
pensation one dollar day. 1t is provided also
that the votes OF nine members OF a Jury only
shall be necessary to a decision of q cause and
a decision of such nine members shall he re.
corded as the verdict OF the jury.
MR.. PADGETT's REPORT
MI James h. Padgett, the assistant attorney
In charge of District cases in the Police Court
has submitted to the Commissioners a report
In opposition to the so-called eight magistrates
above. This report has also been sent by the
commissioners to the Senate District COM
m nefsrrina Il cannot find" says Mr. Padgett,
that the said bill contains any pro
visions sufficient to remedy the disadvant-
proceedings in criminal cases cogniza6le nv the
Police Court From q statement PROCESSING to
snow the costs of maintaining said court and the
ate Dill No: S62, it appears that the only reason
urged Tor the passage OF said bill is that of a
saving IN expenditure. The reports of the audi
tor OF the District for several years mast show
that the Police Court is selfsustaining, and in
the last two or three years turned in
LARGE SURPLUS
to the treasury Of the District. Said report for
1881 shows amount OF fines received from said
court by the auditor to be Sic, 1851. 80: expendi-
lures, 49, 1ss2-receipts, l7,97s.1s:
expenditures, $13517.19; 1sS3-receipts.
$29, 4O6.O3; expenditures, SIS, 4O2.3O: 1854
receipts, $40, 356.33; expenditures 81 Q 73A 90.
and lSSo-receiptS, $37,O40.34 expenditures
3,t9069. Besides these amounts there were
large sums paid to the District for licenses in
eases where prosecutions had Commenced in
the Pollce Court. Then upon the mere Question
OF costs tnere Is no reason why the present
Foifce court system should be abolished"
WHY THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE CHANGED.
Shut there do exist" continues Mr.. Padpett.
'two very serious reasons why the said system
should be changed and improved. The first of
these reasons is stated by the major oS nol,ce
IN his report for 1884, wherein he saws. SThe
business OF the Police Court now abiy condnct-
cd, IS increasing SO much that one man. how
ever able q judge he may be, cannot give nroner
attentlon 70 every case coming before him
Moreover, the court Is SO far nom the noiice
stations that much valuable time is consumed
by omcerS III going to and returning from the
court, ana In waiting during long Sessions the
Tlal OF their cases. The effectiveness OF the
lorce IS materially impaired thereby These
almcuItles may perhaps be obviated for q time
Dy having TWO OR three more courts similar to
the existing one at a. many distinct localifies.
or Dy having maeistFates' courts in the several
precincts for the trial OF minor Corporation
cases, and making for such cases the present
court q court OF appeal, This same subject was
commented on by the police surgeons in their
report OF 1854 as 1olloWs: One other cause Of