In an effort to better serve the public and families, Clarence Cramer led the formation of Arizona’s first Conciliation Court, part of the Superior Court of Arizona in Pinal County. The Conciliation Court was established in 1975.
Random House dictionary defines the word “conciliation” as “to overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate; win over” and “to become agreeable or reconciled.” Conciliation services are useful, and often necessary, to resolve marriage, family, and custody issues.
“Conciliation services can be court-ordered or voluntary but the goal is to provide a hybrid of counseling and assistance to the disputing parties to help them resolve the issues in accordance with the law,” Judge Boyd T. Johnson explained. Johnson recently stepped down as Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in Pinal County but had worked closely with Clarence Cramer.
Cramer is retiring after 31 years of service to Pinal County families.
“Clarence Cramer is a legend. He was really the lead foot soldier in this movement toward counseling, parent education and alternative dispute resolution through the courts,” explained incoming Conciliation Court Director, Diana Hegyi.
Hegyi explained that she and her colleagues were mentored in the profession by Cramer’s
leadership and pioneering vision.
Before the Conciliation Court was formed in 1975, there were two masters level counselors in the Juvenile Probation department. There were very few referrals for marriage or divorce counseling but orders for child custody evaluations were conducted by these counselors. In 1977, Cramer was hired and a progressive evolution began.
Working with the other counselors, Cramer developed a counseling program for families, parents, children and divorcing couples. Judges increasingly referred matters to the Conciliation Court for recommendations or evaluation.
“In the early days of custody cases, the prevailing approach was to resolve issues by attempting to prove what was wrong with the other party – who was more fit or unfit to be the parent,” said Judge Kevin D. White, Presiding Judge over Conciliation and Family Court. “This was traumatic to both parties and damaging to the children. In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, we saw a movement toward an assessment process that helps resolve matters in a collaborative, cooperative way.”
“We can help families reach agreement, ensure that they are on an equal footing in the legal process and establish a more amicable means to divorce. Ultimately, we are allowing the individuals to make these decisions together, not making them based on whose lawyer put up a better argument. The result is a far better outcome with less collateral damage,” Hegyi added. “Cramer provided tremendous leadership in this area. I’m not sure we’d be nearly as far along if it wasn’t for his service. He is nationally-known as an expert in this field.”
Cramer would interview families, watch interaction between the parents and children and author a report to the judge with specific recommendations based on the need for services.
Professionals in conciliation have degrees in counseling, psychology, sociology and, often clinical or administrative experience with matters involving the courts. Cramer earned undergraduate degrees in psychology and sociology before obtaining a master’s in counseling from the University of Arizona. He went on to become founding member of several professional associations dedicated to alternative dispute resolution and conciliation.
On assuming her new duties, Hegyi said: “How do you follow a legend? I don’t know. I think you do it by taking his ideas, developing the services and by continually keeping as your top priority the families and individuals that you’re helping, especially the children.”