PUBLIC INPUT TO THE SUPREME COURT’S CITIZEN’S COMMISSION ON NH STATE COURTS

             This Commission was created to gauge public perceptions of the courts in NH, and to receive and formulate recommendations to address their concerns.  To that end, the commission held twenty-two “Listening Sessions” in eleven locations around the state.  It also distributed surveys and invited contact by email and letter from interested persons.  The following represents the criticisms and concerns of the people who responded.

In tabulating those responses, people testifying at more than one listening session, or submitting more than one survey, were only counted on the first instance, as far as possible.

71 persons spoke at listening sessions, not including multiple appearances.

67 surveys were returned. (Duplicates eliminated)

56 emails were received.

TOTAL CONTACTS:  194

Complaints/concerns involving the Family Courts:  96

Complaints/concerns involving all other courts:   33

            Probate court: 5 District court:  12      Supreme court: 5      Superior court: 10   Part time courts: 1

           

Persons expressing a negative perception of the courts:  103

 

NATURE OF CONCERNS:

Expense of going to court:  79

Bias against fathers:    74

Suspicion of corruption/criminal acts:  40

Allegations of Denial of Rights/Denial of Due Process:  36

Profiteering (to benefit courts, lawyers, & others):   23

Problems with delays and scheduling:   23

Problems with false complaints of domestic violence:   21

Ineffectiveness of the Committee on Judicial Conduct:   21

Filing delays/staff shortages:   7

Judicial Activism (legislating from the bench):  6

Lack of training for GAL’s:  6

Lack of security:   5

Need for technical updates:  5

Need for assistance for pro-se litigants:  4

Bias against women:  3

Need for “Restorative Justice” programs: 2

More use of Mediation:  2

 

One response for each of the following:

Orientation for jurors                                                                  Lack of training for judges

 Bias favoring cities and towns                                                         Treatment programs for drug offenders

  Access/input to Grand Juries                                                          Concern about life tenure for judges

Treatment of mental illness programs in prison                      Additional funding for indigent defense

 Sentencing of sex offenders                                                           Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Alternatives for juvenile defenders                                                   Need for case managers