NCJ Number
81872
Date Published
Unknown
Length
70 pages
Annotation
This 1980 annual report provides statistics and information on the work of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Abstract
With the support of the legislature and the approval of the electorate, the superior court was increased from 7 to 15 judges in 1980. Another measure to improve the quality and efficiency of appellate court dispositions was the expansion of the jurisidiction of the superior court, with a corresponding decrease in the areas of mandated jurisdiction of the supreme court. As a result, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court can by its discretion accept or reject appeals in major jurisdictional areas, thereby rendering virtually final the decisions of the two intermediate appellate courts. A statute governing selection, service, and compensation was passed in 1980. The legislation intends to reduce the time jurors must wait before they are called to hear a case. Under the statute, a master list of prospective jurors must be compiled at least annually from the voter registration lists. To improve the quality and timeliness of docket transcript data, the Administrative Office established a close working relationship with representatives of other statewide criminal justice agencies. In 1980, the Administrative Office's legal department represented judges and other employees of the judicial system in 154 legal proceedings. This was an increase of 34 percent over 1979. These were primarily civil rights actions seeking various forms of relief. Automation of the superior court docket system was a major breakthrough. It will reduce the heavy case backlog of this appellate court. Tabular data are provided on court workloads.