Usecase: Judge (Circuit Court)

[flyguy712]

Role - Circuit Court Judge

A circuit court judge holds a significant role in the administration of justice within their jurisdiction. They preside over both civil and criminal cases and have a broad range of responsibilities. Here's a summary:

• Preside Over Trials and Hearings: Circuit court judges preside over trials, including both bench trials (where the judge is the finder of fact) and jury trials (where the judge manages the trial and instructs the jury). They also handle pretrial hearings, arraignments, and post-trial motions.
• Make Rulings: Judges make rulings on legal issues brought before them. This can include things like motions to suppress evidence, motions for summary judgment, or decisions on points of law during a trial.
• Interpret and Apply Laws: Judges interpret and apply relevant statutes, regulations, and case law. They must take into account the U.S. Constitution, state constitution, precedents set by higher courts, and statutory law.
• Set and Review Bail: In criminal cases, judges have the responsibility to set bail, and they may also review bail determinations.
• Sentence Convicted Defendants: If a defendant is convicted, the judge typically imposes the sentence. This could include fines, imprisonment, probation, community service, or other penalties, within the parameters set by law.
• Manage the Courtroom and Court Staff: Judges oversee the conduct of everyone in the courtroom, including attorneys, witnesses, and jurors. They also supervise court staff, such as clerks, bailiffs, and court reporters.
• Administration and Case Management: Judges have a role in managing the court's caseload. They may conduct pretrial conferences to resolve issues and expedite the trial process. They might also handle scheduling and other administrative matters.
• Educational Role: Judges often take on an educational role, both in explaining the law and court procedures during the course of a case, and often outside the courtroom in various community and professional contexts.

Circuit court judges, like all judges, have a duty to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice. They should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary and avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety in all activities. They should also strive to improve the legal system and the administration of justice.

Scenario - Sentencing After Revocation Preparation

Context:

Sentencing After Revocation (SAR) generally refers to the process a judge uses to determine the appropriate sentence for a defendant after their probation, parole, or extended supervision has been revoked.

When a person is found to have violated the terms of their supervised release, the supervising agency (like a Department of Corrections) can start proceedings to revoke the release. If the release is revoked after a hearing process, the case typically goes back to court for re-sentencing.

Here's a summary of a judge's responsibilities in a SAR scenario:

• Review the Revocation: The judge reviews the reasons for revocation, considering the seriousness of the violation(s) and any harm caused. This information often comes from reports submitted by the supervising agency.
• Consider the Original Offense: The judge also considers the seriousness of the original offense(s) for which the defendant was on supervised release. The nature of the original crime could influence the judge's decision on the appropriate sentence after revocation.
• Hear from the Parties: In court, the judge usually hears arguments from both the prosecution and the defense about the appropriate sentence. The defendant also generally has an opportunity to speak, if they choose.
• Determine the Sentence: The judge then decides on the sentence. This could range from a return to probation with additional conditions to incarceration. The sentence must be within the statutory limits for the original offense(s).
• Explain the Sentence: The judge should explain the reasons for the chosen sentence on the record. This helps to ensure transparency and fairness, and it's important if the sentence is appealed.

The exact procedures can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case. For example, some states have detailed guidelines that judges must follow in determining sentences after revocation. It's also important to note that not all violations of supervised release result in a return to court; minor violations might be addressed within the supervising agency.

Workflow:

The judge wants to print out relevant documents in preparation for a sentencing after revocation hearing to become familiar with the case. Currently the process of printing documentation for the next day and subsequent case preparation analysis can take 15 minutes to 1 hour.

1. Open Judicial Dashboard 2 application
2. Click the right arrow in the calendar widget to show tomorrow's cases
3. Select the case number from the first case in the list
4. Click court record tab
5. Find revocation order and warrant packet and click hyperlink
6. Click printer icon to print
7. Select "Close document and return to details"
8. Find restitution order and click hyperlink
9. Click printer icon to print
10. Select "Close document and return to details"
11. Find dispositional order/judgement and click hyperlink
12. Click printer icon to print
13. Select "Close document and return to details"
14. Find plea questionnaire and waiver of rights and click hyperlink
15. Click printer icon to print
16. Select "Close document and return to details"
17. Find information
18. Click printer icon to print
19. Select "Close document and return to details"
20. Find complaint filed
21. Click printer icon to print

[abrichr]

@flyguy712 this is excellent, thank you!!

The next step would be to create a recording with the openadapt software. Can you please suggest what is missing from the current offering in order to get there? I'll start:

• Big friendly icon to download and one-click install (One-click download and install #123)
• UI hints (Explore MacOS/Windows widgets #224)
• Getting started instructions / infographic / explainer video (TODO)

What else?

[flyguy712]

@abrichr you're welcome. It was fun to observe the workflow. The only other thing I can think of that might be required is a way to get the recording off of the user's machine and back to our ecosystem so that we can use it for training. I'm not sure they would be able to intuitively retrieve it from their files.

That said, I'm actually going to be home a week from today (6/22) for the weekend, and could assist in getting the recording captured if we don't have these pieces in place by then. We should sync up beforehand though!

[abrichr]

@flyguy712

The only other thing I can think of that might be required is a way to get the recording off of the user's machine and back to our ecosystem so that we can use it for training.

This is close to being merged in #223, should be ready this week 😄