The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-25
.|NSPECTS WORK OF
COURTS IN NORTH
Douglas Visits Both Chicago
and Indianapolis
PETTY OFFENDERS
Birmingham Man Finds Interesting
Features, Especially in Way Do
nestle Relations Are Handled
in Separate Divisions

Judge Alvin M. Douglas returned yes
terday from an extended trip to Indian
apolis and Chicago While in these cities
Judge Douglas investigated the court con-
dltions in reference to the disposition OF
petty offenders. Judge Douglas Is much
interested In this class of work and at the
expense of sightseeing spent most of his
time In the several courts investigating
methods of dealing with minor offenders.
At Indianapolis Judge Douglas was
shown every courtesy by Judge Collins
of the city court. who invited him to a
seat on the bench during the session of
the court
While In Chicago he was the guest of
Judge Harry Olson. chief justice of the
municipal court of Chicago, and was
shown the workings of a court Ihat Is
said Ito meet the present requirements
by the application of modern business
methods to the administration of justice"
Judge Douglas said:
while in the middle west 1 took &C
oasion to look into the municipal courts
of indianapolis and Chicago, and did
so with a great deal Of interest. One day
Nlllie Ill lnuldudpOlS duuBt JdHtS IL
Collins, judge of the city court of In
dianapolis, asked me to sit with him while
he disposed of cases on the docket. 1t
is the policy of this court to ascertain the
circumstances and surroundings of the
persons charged with petty offenses and
take into consideration the effect impris-
onment would have on those dependent
upon the prisoner IL he should be found
guilty.
In cases where the offender is brought
before the court for the first time the
court, where the facts justify such action
suspends the sentence during good be-
havior of the defendant. During last
year sentence was suspended in 1888 cases.
The court also withheld judgment in 1868
cases during the year. In Withholding
judgment the court requires from the
defendant a written report as to his con-
duct during the probation period fixed by
the court: in some cases the report was
also signed by a probation officer who
would consent to act as such officer. This
plan has worked admirably.
Another plan has been adopted by this
court in allowing offenders to pay their
fine in installments. This opportunity
was given to 1140 persons of whom sos.
at the close of the year, had satisfied the
fines and cost in their cases and 163 we're
still paying Out of all this number 80
had been committed for failure to pay
their fines and affidavit in GO cases are
held for rearrest. Judge Collins is high
in his praise of this system.
"A separate session OF the court is
held for the trial of cases against women
and matters pertaining to domestic reia-
lions.
while In Chicago l had quite an in
teresting talk with Judge Harry Olson,
Chief Justice of the Municipal Court of
Chicago. Judge Olson and about Is assoc
ciate judges carry on the great work of
trying defendants who have committed
offenses against the city of Chicago. as
we'll as having limited jurisdiction in civil
cases.
ITO me one of the most interesting
branches of the Municipal Court of Chi
cago is the Court of Domestic Relations.
1t was my pleasure TO sit with Judge
Charles N. Goodnow, associate Judge. pre-
siding over this branch, and 10 learn from
him some of the work that he yid been
doing, This court has the wide and USE
full scope of aiding In bringing about bet
ter family relations where they are not
as they should be, and is a very import
ant factor in bringing peace TO many
homes in that great city