Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-23
BAS|NG Of TRAFFIC
CASE COLLATERALS
ON FINES OPPOSED
Corporation Counsel Advises
City Heads Against Pro-
posed Procedure.
WOULD LESSEN RESPECT
FOR LAW, HE DECLARES
Expresses Doubt That Plan Will
Relieve Congestion in
Police Court.

The proposal that police stations in
guided by the minimum fines usually
imposed in court may work we'll in ex.
pediting court business. but would not
he conducive to effective traffic en-
fOrcement, Corporation Counsel W. W.
Bride told the Commissioners in rem
deriug an opinion today on the Bureau
of Efficiency recommendations relating
to Police Court congestion.
The corporation counsel said he hest
tated to report adversely on this
recommendation, bearing in mind,
however, that the proposed schedule
OF minimum fines is to act merely as
a guide and not to deprive the station
keepers of the discretion vested in
them by law in the matter OF collat-
eraI.
Likely to Take a Chance"
For instance" said the corporation
counsel when a citizen knows he will
be fined, or permitted to forfeit, not
more than So for overtime parking he
will take a chance, and, il caught,
consider the fine as really rental
charge for public space. He would be
slow TO take such chance If unin-
formed as to the penalty he might
have to pay and with the knowledge
that it could be from 81 to $500, or
imprisonment for 10 days.
THE same theory holds true when
the usual fine for failing to give the
right of way TO through traffic Is fixed
at S.. This is an important safety
regulation and it's violation IS re-
sponsible for great number of our
serious traffic accidents. 1t is not
conducive to best administration and
enforcement to inform a motorist in
advance that S. is all he will have to
surrender for such violation. II he
knew it might be $500, or 10 days in
Jail, he would be far more careful TO
keep within the law. and thus make
the community a safer one in which
to live"
After giving these illustrations the
corporation counsel said that in the
end, however, ''the question of fines
is one exclusively in the hands of the
judges of the Police Court, and 1t may
be an injustice to require collateral
greater than the fines now imposed by
them for particular violations. For
that reason, and that alone, hesitate
to report adversely on this feature of
the scheme Of the Bureau of Efficiercy,
having in mind. of course. that the
proposed schedule is to act merely az
guide and not TO deprive the station
keeper of that discretion vested in
him by law"
Opposes Report by Police.
The corporation counsel further ad.
vised the city heads that he does not
believe the courts would sustain the
other proposal recommended by the
Efficiency Bureau of having police
men make out on a blank form at
the station house the information they
now swear to at the Police Court
Building. He said no good would be
accomplished by such change in pro.
cedure and that the legality of such
practice undoubtedly would be ques-
toned.
Although 1t is generally admitted
that the Police Court is badly con-
gested, the corporation counsel said
it is his opinion that so-called minor
violations are not the principal cause
of the congestion.
Hundreds upon hundreds of such
cases have been in the past, and can
be in the future, disposed of under
existing practice" he continued. II
believe the congestion in the Police
Court is caused principally by the
many offenses for which jury trials
are permitted by existing law and
demanded, coupled with an inadequate
number of judges and prosecuting Of
business coming before it. / do not
believe the scheme suggested by the
Bureau Of Efficiency either practi-
ca BILE or deSirabie :"
Mr. Bride further contends that Il Is
not the time spent in preparing the
paper- at court that keeps policemen
from their other duties and from
hours of rest. but that the real rea.
son therefor is the time spent in the
awaiting the calling of their
cases for trial. This is one of the
of police service for which
no remedy is known"
The opinion recommends that an ad-
policeman be detailed to the
corporation counsels Office at Police
Court on Mondays and on days fol-
lowing holidays to assist in preparing
papers, in view of the large volume of
work that accumulates on those days.
Defends Present Practice.
The corporation counsel told the
Commissioners that the proposal al.
lowing collateral to be placed and the
in court of a defendant
merely to elect trial at some future
date, convenient to all persons, can
result only in unnecessary delay and
confusion. The present practice, he
said, is Of long standing, has worked
we'll and should be continued.
The corporation counsel indorses
the movement to obtain a new Police
Court building and adds a further
suggestion that the night court be
abolished. With the addition of an
other judge, which would make five
judges, sitting throughout the day,
or even with the present four judges.
he believes more work can be accom-
plished than with only three sitting
during the day and one at night. as
at present. Mr.. Bride adds that the
present judges are of the same
opinion. He further recommends at
least two additional assistants to the