Best Practices
Almost every organization, from teachers to medical professionals, has what it calls a "best practices" paradigm. What these organizations really mean by "best practices" is using knowledge management to take what was learned by trial and error in the past and making sure the same mistakes are not repeated. This, of course, is logical -- who doesn't want to profit from past errors. Best practices are designed, in fact, to ensure that everyone is treated equally -- not that everyone is treated the same. Individuals are not equal -- each uses unique learning styles, ability and foci -- to treat everyone the same under a Best Practices scenario would be counterproductive. Instead, the idea of best practices is to put forward a method or technique that, over time, has clearly and consistently shown results that are superior to other means. This then becomes the measurable benchmark to drive innovation and improvement (Hiebeler, et.al., 1999).
criminal justice system, we can develop a set of "best practices" that will allow us to review issues in the judiciary system that may require additional scrutiny:
Jury Selection (initial selection) -- Use comprehensive and up-to-date source lists that combine sections of populations that allow for the greatest statistically likelihood of a broad and robust population base. Continue this by updating technology to obtain most recent addresses and monitor suppression files (persons recently serviced, medically excused, etc.). The Constitutional requirement for a "jury of one's peers" assumes that the community will be well represented.
Jury Selection (race) -- Set criteria that is unbiased and appropriate for the community. Regardless of the ethnicity of the defendant, if they live in City X, it is relatively easy to establish the dynamics of the region. We often hear stories…
