Via Radio Iowa & Iowa Public Radio
Five counties in eastern Iowa-including Clinton County are trying out a less formal approach to family court with the goal of resolving cases faster, which saves the court resources.
Scott County Judge Henry Latham says the Informal Family Law Trial Pilot Project allows a judge to speak directly to people who are representing themselves in divorce cases, for example.
Latham says, “It allows people to speak freely, give all of the testimony or evidence they believe that is necessary to promote their interest in the case.” Latham has high hopes divorces and other family court cases that come before him will find quicker conclusions.
Judge Nancy Tabor, also of Scott County, says her docket is full of people representing themselves and often, they don’t have a firm grasp of how the legal process works. Because the cases consume a lot of the court’s time, Tabor is trying out the more straightforward approach.
“Each party speaks freely with the judge,” Tabor says. “Tells the judge whatever they want the judge to hear. Gives the judge whatever documents they want the judge to have, pictures anything they want to bring, and then the other party does not get to cross examine them or ask them any questions.” Once the first person is done speaking with the judge, the process is repeated with the second person, then the judge makes a ruling within days.
Since the pilot program just began a few weeks ago, it’s too early to determine its success. In addition to Scott, the program is also underway in Cedar, Clinton, Jackson and Muscatine counties.
