The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-15
TO HOLD A NIGHT
POLICE COURT
An Innovation Being Con-
sidered by the Police
Judges.
One Judge Would Preside From
s at Night Till 2 Next
Morning.
Many Cases Could Be Disposed Of at
Once and Bail Bonds Would
B. Accepted.

An innovation in Police Court pro-
cedure which If carried into effect viii
put an end To many causes for complaint
and VIII be in accordance with the pro-
zreszive spirit OF she times IS under con-
sidaration by the Police Judges.
The proposition IS that enc OF the four
Judges should hold court from o'clock
at night till 2 O'clock in the morning
every week, Sundays excepted That is
10 say that three Judges would hold
court during the day IS at present and
the other judge would hold court during
the hours mentioned, each Judge taking
the night court in turn for 8 week.
In this way cases that could be easily
disposed OF Immediately after the arrest
of the parties would be heard by the
Judge On the might watch, and to that
end the Chief OF Police would be asked TO
ms truct the policemen making the arrest
TO bring the defenda ut and the complain
ing witness and other Witnesses before
the Judge.
For instance, 3 man is arrested for fight
ing on the street, the charge being either
battery or distur bing the peace. 1t would
be 3 simple matter TO take all parties be-
fore the presiding Judge, try the case and
either convict OF acquit the defendant.
DRINKS arrested during the afternoons
or earIv in the evening, and who had time
10 sober Up could be released without
waiting till 10 o'clock the next morning.
Other advantages would De gained by
holding the might court" which need not
be enlarged upon.
L Is only following the custom that has
for years been in vogue in the large cities
IN England and IN the Eastern States,
where il has beeQ found 10 work admir-
ably.
Another strong point II its favor, and
one that comes home to tue Judges them
selves, is the opportunity afforded for the
aceep ance of bonds for the release of
prisoners. At present the Judges are
Weakened from their slumbers at ali hours
of the night by friends OF prisoners re-
qusstIng them TO accept bonds for their
release. The Judge on the might watch"
would put stop to all this annoyance
and inconvenience to all parties con-
cerued-
The Board of Supervisors three or four
years ago passed an ordinance providing
that at least one Police Court clerk should
be in atteuGanc at the City Prison each
night from TO 10 O'Clock TO accept bonds
in mlsdemean0r cases. It was obeTed for
few weeks after its passage and then the
old order of things went on. Two years
ago, when the new clerks went into Office,
al GLbc14 ~ " 81 E1GAc 70 INTO eIeCI
the provisions OF the ordinance, but It
failed, as only one out OF the four showed
his willingness TO do his duty.
Judges Campbell and Low talked over
the proposed innovation yesterday and
both were warmly in favor OF It. i meet
ing OF the four Judges and Chief of Police
viii probably be held to-day, when the
matter will be fully discussed and steps
taken to Introduce the night court at
once.
The proposition has everything to
recommend it and there is no earthly
reason why it should not be adopted, say
its advocates.