Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-19
JUDGE
Continued From First Page

headed by G. Bowdoin Craighill.
jr.. conferred with Judge Edward
A. Beard. who presided lin Juve-
nile Court for about two weeks
until Judge Ketcham was sworn
in. and Mrs. Alice Freer. adj
ministrative ofiicer Of the court.
The subcommittee reported
that both Judge Beard and Mrs.
Freer agreed that one judge
does not have time for study.
reflection or performance Of adj
ministrative duties because Of
the case load. Judge Beard was
quoted as saying the burden
some duties would tax the
physical energy and emotional
strength Of one Judge"
TT is the opinion Of this sub
committee" Mr.. Craighill's group
said, that the tasks facing the
new Judge are too numerous and
time-consuming to be performed
properly by one person. An asso-
ciate judge Of the Juvenile Court
is clearly needed at this time"
The subcommittee noted that
its investigation disclosed that
Judge Edith H. Cockrill. who
formerly sat in Juvenile Court.
was able to keep current with the
courts business only by main
tanning a rigid schedule" This
schedule. It was reported. in
Icluded hearing juvenile cases
from 9 am. to 6 pm. on Wednes-
days and Fridays; adult cases.
$3.50 am. to S pm. Tuesday and
Thursdays; jury trials. two or
three Mondays q month and one
Monday q month for staff con-
lferences.
Council Members Polled
Council Of Law Enforcement
members polled because Of their
association with Juvenile Court
operations included United
States Attorney Oliver Gasch.
Police Chief Robert v. Murray.
Mr.. Gray, Mr.. Hart, George B.
Parks, representing the WASH
ington Bar Association on the
council, United States Marshal
Carlton Beall, and Ralph d,
Pittman. president Of the WASH
ington Criminal Justice Associa-
ton.
Agreeing on the need for q
second Juvenile Court Judge at
this time. they pointed out that
the council did not push its 1854
Recommendation because Judge
Cockrill opposed it. Judge Cock
rill had also opposed a second
judge when the Senate District
Committee considered proposed
legislation in 1852.
Mr.. Hart said that when the
council voted for a second judge
in 1854 it was on the basis Of
figures showing she had handled
10000 court hearings the pre-
vious year. The figures for the
1856 fiscal year. he added, show
she handled 1913 court hear
ings. The figures. he said. also
show that 104 jury cases occu-
pied AZ days.
Six Minutes Per Case
ION the basis OF those figures, "
he said. III the Judge spent
,eight hours on the bench every
day, he would only be able to
devote six minutes to each case"
Mr.. Hart said that in view Of
the so per cent increase In court
hearings, the need for an addi-
tional judge is much greater now
than 1t was three years ago. He
said the Juvenile Court Judge is
expected to spearhead the COM
munity-wide fight against juve-
nile delinquency. II the Judge
is confined TO the bench. he
said. it becomes impossible for
him TO work with the rest OF
the community.
Mr.. Gasch declared that In
Juvenile Court, delays between
the time child Is taken into
custody and first brought before
the Judge often amount to sew
eral weeks or even months.
Declaring that the number OF
serious cases brought to the at
tention OF Juvenile Court has
Increased about two and one
half times in the past three
years, Mr.. Gasch said 1t was
clear that the case load and
other responsibilities OF Juvenil:
Court cannot effectively be car
ried by one Judge.
4 Chief Murray agreed with Mr.
Gasch on the need Of a second
Judge TO assure prompt actor
in the court. He said where q
police witness waits two months