09/08/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. { ,- B. In-Custody Jail Hearings (memo, ordinance, background information e distributed) Mr. Whitlow introduced Sandra Franklin, Court Administrator. Ms. Franklin said that the proposed ordinance would allow Municipal Court sessions to be held at the Lane County Corrections Facility. She said that it currently takes three or four Police officers to provide transportation and security to bring those in custody from the corrections facility to City Hall for each session and tnat this ordinance would free up these Police officers for other duty. She said that the security risk of transporting those in custody would also be reduced. Ms. Franklin said that the weekend population at the jail could be decreased under the proposed change, since hearings could be held on Friday afternoons. She said that a status report on the new procedure would be made in 90 days. Ms. Franklin said that Deputy Police Chief Pat Larion was available to respond to questions. Responding to a question from Councilor Wooten, Ms. Franklin said that court proceedings will continue to be open to the public when sessions are held in the corrections facility. Responding to a question from Councilor Miller, Ms. Franklin said that in-custody hearings are held for approximately 100 to 125 people per month. Ms. Franklin felt that staff would be able to process paper- work for cases and get the necessary papers to the corrections facility in a timely manner for hearings. Councilor Miller asked whether the fact that arraignments were held in the corrections facility could be used in allegations that the setting was coercive. Tim Sercombe of the City Attorney's Office said that the defendant is in custody e no matter whether hearings are held at City Hall or at the Lane County Corrections Facility and that defendants would have the same rights to dress in street clothing at the corrections facility as at City Hall. Councilor Miller said that the proposed change seemed worth trying and that she would be interested in receiving the report on the first 90 days of the new process. She commented that the new process could save the City some money. Mr. Whitlow said that the new process might actually cost tne City more than the present system but that it would allow more Police officers to work on the street, since they would no longer be needed to transport those in custody and only one officer would be needed to provide security at the corrections facility during court sessions. Public hearing was opened. There being no public testimony, public hearing was closed. CB 2515--An ordinance concerning Municipal Court; adding a new section 2.772 to the Eugene Code, 1971; and declaring an emergency. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that tne bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 8, 1982 Page 6