SELECTED, TRAINED, AND GUIDED BY A STATEWIDE ADVISORY BOARD COMPOSED OF PERSONS EXPERIENCED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 220 CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS MONITORED THE PROCEDURES OF SELECTED NEW YORK STATE AND LOCAL FAMILY COURTS. THIS FIRST VOLUME REPORTS FINDINGS IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA. THE RESEARCH GOALS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED, BUT WERE NOT LIMITED TO: COLLECTING AND EVALUATING DATA AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE; PROVIDING SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPGRADING THE CURRENT SYSTEM; INITIATING AND MAINTAINING A DIALOGUE BETWEEN CITIZENS AND THEIR LOCAL JUDICIARY; AND PROVIDING A PRESENCE OF CONCERNED CITIZENS IN THE COURTROOM TO INSURE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE COURT AND ALERT OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN THE COURT SYSTEM. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED IN THE AREAS OF RESPONDENTS' RIGHTS, LEGAL REPRESENTATION, PHYSICAL CONDITIONS, CITIZEN ACCESS, DELAYS, ADJOURNMENTS, AND COURT SCHEDULES. IN ADDITION TO SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS MADE FOR NEW YORK CITY, SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR IMPROVING THE NASSAU COUNTY, ERIE COUNTY, AND WESTCHESTER COUNTY FAMILY COURT OPERATIONS. TABLES OF RELEVANT DATA ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORTS. FOR THE SECOND REPORT IN THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ-46601. (RCB)