RT Article
T1 Conflict resolution a pre-trial intervention
JF American journal of criminal justice
VO 5
IS 1
SP 53
OP 65
A1 Foley, Linda A.
A2 Fortenberry, James H.
LA English
YR 1980
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1764204875
AB Parties involved in interpersonal disputes often use the Criminal Justice System as a medium of retaliation. This study analyzed the effectiveness of a Citizens’ Dispute Settlement Program as an alternative to criminal prosecution. The program consists of trained volunteer hearing officers mediating between the complainant and the defendant in order to resolve the conflict without court involvement. All hearings scheduled over a six month period were studied (N-264). The hearings were categorized according to type of offense and were analyzed to determine the race and sex of the parties involved, and the effectiveness of conflict resolution efforts in each category. In general, there was no significant relationship between race and being a party in conflict. However, there was a highly significant relationship as to sex, with the majority of complainants being female, and the majority of the respondents being male. Of the scheduled hearings, 93.5% (N-247) were diverted from the court system, for an estimated savings of $80,522. The authors concluded that a Citizens’ Dispute Settlement Program, through the pretrial intervention of conflict resolution efforts, provides an effective means of alleviating the congestion in our courts.
K1 Dade County
K1 Interpersonal Conflict
K1 Dispute Settlement
K1 Dispute Resolution
K1 Criminal Justice System
DO 10.1007/BF02903700