Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-22
NEW POLICE COURT SYSTEM
Change Proposed aby Samuel R. Church,
Justice Of the Peace.
Five Judges and Three Judicial Dis
tricts-Abolitionss of ONCE OF
Justice II the Peace.

Samuel r. Church, Justice Of the peace
of the District, has issued a circular to
the members of the bar, accompanied by a
proposed draft of an act to abolish the
office of justice Of the peace and to transfer
their jurisdiction, somewhat amplified, to
the Police Court. Justice Church has been
member Of the bar over ten years and
justice for three years. Having thus
had opportunities for studying the justice
system, both from the outside and from
the inside. he has become convinced. he
says. that it is radically defective and in
adequate to the demands of large and in
creasing population.
The plan proposed by him contemplates
increasing the number of judges in the
Police Court to five, at salary Of S, $50
each, the judges to be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate, and to hold office dur
Ing good behavior. No one shall be Judge
who has not previously been a Judge of
the Police Court or who has not been
member of the local bar for three years.
Present Judges Not Disturbed.
The present judges, under Mr.. Church's
plan, are to serve their full terms, as are
the justices Of the peace and constables
now holding Office. When the terms Of the
present justices and constables expire no
more are to be appointed, and the offices
shall cease to exist.
The Police Court is to have all the juris-
diction in civil cases row held by justices.
increased to $500, with exclusive jurisdic-
ton over cases not exceeding 5000, and a
provision for trial by jury, where demand
ed, In all cases over $50. A writ of error
shall, on petition, be allowed on questions
OF law by the Court of Appeals in all cases
where the amount involved exceeds $50
The Police Court Is to also have jurisdic-
ton In replevln and attachment and In
landlord and tenant cases, and the oath
in the latter cases may be made by an
agent or attorney having personal knowl-
edge of the facts set forth in the COM
plalnt. The law at present requires the
oath to be made by the party entitled to
the possession. The proposed act also gives
the Police Court jurisdiction against exec
utors and administrators, which justices
Of the peace do not have at present.
Divisions of the District.
The District is to be divided into three
judicial districts, the first embracing all
that part east of LIST street west; the sec
ond, between list and Goth streets west; and
the third, west of Goth street west. Suit
able places are to be provided in each dis
trict for holding court.
On the criminal side of the court the
person arrested is to be taken Immediately
before the judge sitting in that district, and
tried. If he shall desire time to prepare
for his trial, he is to be allowed not less
than twenty-four hours, and If he asks for
a jury trial he is to be committed, give
bail. In minor cases collateral may be left.
Jury trials are to be held in the second dis
trict.
COrOner's Inquest.
The power OF .he;coroner to hold inquests
shall, it is proposed, be abolished. When
an inquest is deemed necessary, it is to be
held by the judge holding a jury term wit.
a jury of six taken from the panel in at
tendance on the court
1t is thought by the members of the bar
generally, shown by the letters received
by Judge Church in reply to his circular,
that the proposed change would be bene-
fetal.