Evening star., 1935-05-21
Committee Recommends 6
Other Changes to Cut
Jam of Cases.
WOULD LIMIT WOMEN
ON EXEMPTION CLAIMS
Jury Panel Terms Would Be Ex.
tended to One Month Under
Proposals Outlined.
BY DON S. WARREN.


Definite opposition to the proposed
establishment of a Magistrates Court
system to handle all kinds of minor
cases, so as to relieve congestion in
Police Court, was registered today by
committee of District officials and
civic workers appointed recently by
the Commissioners.
The report. filed with the Commits
sioners at their board session today
by George w. Offutt, chairman, sug-
gested six other changes in enforce
ment and prosecution machinery.
These call for: Use Of third jury
panel in Police Court, a change re-
Gently invoked.
Legislation to take away from won1-
en- their present prerogative OF de-
clining to serve as jurors merely be-
cause they do not wish to.
legislation to reduce the number OF
cases in which jury trials may be de-
manded. except in cases where pro-
vided for by the Constitution.
Legislation to lengthen the term
of Police Court jury panels to one
W II COil4OAlll w oNA Wv
in District Supreme Court.
Would Cut Exemptions.
Legislation to reduce the number of
reasons for exemption from jury serv-
ice in a move to get better qualified
jurors.
A plan to impound automobiles
parked In fragrant violation of trafflc
rules, this being similar to the regu-
lation approved recently by the Com
missionars.
Legislation requiring seni-annual
compulsory mechanical tests Of all au-
tomobiles at three Government test
ing stations.
The idea of a Magistrates Court
system first was advanced by Corpo-
ration Counsel Prettyman. who sug-
gested the enlistment of retired Army
and Navy officers and retired business
and professional men as Sl-a-year
men. They would hold court at police
precinct stations.
More recently Commissioner HaZen
directed Prettyman to draft bill for
employment of four full-time n1agis-
trates, each of whom would be In
charge of minor cases at three police
stations, serving as circuit justices
of the peace" their salary. to be
$4,000 a year each. That plan was
held up. however. to await the report
submitted today to the Commissioners.
No Action Taken.
The Commissioners released the re-
port, but took no action on the recon-
mendations.
AS to the Magistrates Court idea,
the committee told the Commission
ers: AT the present time the unani-
nous consensus is against such legis-
lation as will bring about return of
the magistrate system. Numerous
other remedies for the existing situa-
ton were discussed. including legis-
lation providing for additional Judges
for the Police Court and a consolida-
ton of the Police and Municipal
Courts.
THE judges of Police Court, how
ever, feel they are we'll able. with
their present personnel. to amply take
care Of the existing situation. They
suggest that while at the present
time the court is not up to date
in its jury trials. this is due partially
to the fact that early in February
they were obliged to dispense with
a third jury panel for the reason that
their appropriation covering this
panel was exhausted. They further
suggested that in the event they might
again have the third jury panel they
could not only keep up the work but
could catch up on the back work.
Condition Corrected.
your committee brought this con-
dition to the attention Of the auditor,
who very promptly remedied the con-
dition, as result of which the third
jury panel is now available"
The committee urged there be no
attempt at legislation for the magis-
trate's court at the present time, but
asked that efforts be made to obtain
sufficient appropriation for a third
jury panel throughout the next fiscal
year.
The suggested bill to reduce ex-
emptions from jury service would
make eligible Tor jury service, other
qualifications being met, those en-
ployed in Federal or District Govern
ment service, all officers and enlisted
men of the District National Guard,
both active and retired: all officers and
enlisted men in the Military, Naval
Marine and Coast Guard Reserve
Corps; all notaries public, all post
masters and those who are recipients
or beneficiaries of pension or other
gratuity from the Federal or District
Government, or who have contracts
with the United States or District
Government.
District and Federal Government
employees would not be paid for theb
jury service, but neither would Gov
ernment salaries be diminished by rea.
son of time spent on juries.