Chicago Tribune Series on Dysfunction in Cook County Criminal Courts Wins Fairness in Journalism Award

Michael Laster waits with other detainees in a holding cell in the basement of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse before scheduled court appearances in 2022.

Defendants and victims’ families both described feeling confused and hopeless as they wait year after year for closure. Reporters foundThe Tribune also found Cook County courts have ignored their own case management standards for years, as well as repeatedly disregarding recommendations for reform. The result is a justice system that has failed in its fundamental duties of fairness and competency.

“The presumption of innocence in our criminal justice system tends to be more myth than reality. But the Chicago Tribune treats the presumption seriously in this exceptional series on the impact of stunning delays in the Cook County courts,” said Taylor judge Ken Armstrong. “The series accounts for all the people hurt by the court system’s failures, be they a relative of a murder victim or a defendant awaiting trial. This could have been a laborious read, full of procedural jargon.

“The Chicago Tribune’s ‘Stalled Justice’ series represents the best in local journalism. The series had a very clear mandate, based on principles of fairness, and the reporters went to great lengths to seek out sources from all sides — from defendants to relatives to prosecutors to judges and administrators,” said another Taylor judge, Wonbo Woo.

Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)

Chicago Tribune Cook County Criminal Courts Murder Cases Resolution Process Fairness In Journalism Defendants Victims' Families Confusion Hopelessness Trial Case Management Standards Recommendations Reform

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