Court Backlog Cuts Must Not Cut Corners, Open Justice Demands Detail

It seems the justice system is speeding up. This rush might be causing problems. Courts try hard to reduce case backlogs. Journalists are finding some details are missing.

Reporters need the “who, what, when, where, why, how.” Prosecutors often give facts. The defense adds to the story. Judges sometimes offer extra information when sentencing. Lately, courts seem to skip details to save time.

A man led police on a high-speed chase. The judge wanted crucial details. How far did the chase last? How long did it go? We knew when it started. We knew where police found his car later. Where did police stop chasing him?

Officers didn’t include this in reports. Dashcam footage was missing. The judge noted many lawyers reviewed the case. Why was this evidence missing? Was it an oversight? Did they lack time or resources?

The hearing proceeded. The man got jailed for a year. But the judge and reporter wanted more facts. Judges sometimes skip usual procedures in busy courts. They read papers and go straight to sentencing. This saves time. Reporters get frustrated because they hear less.

The press needs the full story in court. Cutting backlogs shouldn’t sacrifice open justice. Detail matters.