Understanding the Challenges of Addressing Case Processing Issues and Their Impact on Jail Population Reduction Efforts: Findings from Charleston, South Carolina and Palm Beach, Florida

• In Event: Equality and Bias in the Sentencing Process

Abstract

Long court processing times in the United States have negative consequences on defendants and their families, court administrators and staff, law enforcement involved in investigations, and taxpayers who bear the financial burden of the delays. Court delays have a significant impact on communities of color, particularly due to the disproportionate use of pretrial detention for these populations. While we know that there are clear racial disparities in case processing times, there is limited research about how these delays impact outcomes. This paper explores the drivers of long case processing times and the impact of these times on pre-trial detention and case outcomes with a focus on racial disparities in two United States counties: Charleston, South Carolina and Palm Beach, Florida. Both counties have been facing extended case processing timelines and have made efforts to address them through the Safety and Justice Challenge. The paper provides findings from analysis of administrative court data as well as interviews with court actors, former defendants, and survivors. In addition to this analysis, the study will include findings from a review of case files which is underway. In this paper, we discuss the methodology for the case file review. The paper concludes with potential recommendations to remedy court delays in both counties.

Authors

• Andreea Matei, Urban Institute

• Lily Robin, Urban Institute