NCJ Number
62426
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE AMERICAN JUDICATURE SOCIETY DURING 1979 ARE HIGHLIGHTED; INVOLVEMENT WITH JUDICIAL SELECTION, JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY, COURT MANAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
THE SOCIETY HAS LONG ENDORSED THE CONCEPT OF JUDICIAL SELECTION THROUGH USE OF A NOMINATING COMMISSION THAT EVALUATES CANDIDATES ON THE BASIS OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS. THIS YEAR, THE SOCIETY COMPLETED 'A STUDY OF THE U.S. CIRCUIT JUDGE NOMINATING COMMISSION: ITS MEMBERS, PROCEDURES AND CANDIDATES.' THE STUDY REPORTS THAT THE NEW MERIT SYSTEM HAS GREATLY EXPANDED THE ROLE OF WOMEN MINORITIES, AND NONLAWYERS IN THE PROCESS OF FEDERAL JUDICIAL SELECTION. THE CENTER FOR JUDICIAL CONDUCT ORGANIZATIONS, ESTABLISHED BY THE SOCIETY IN 1977, RECEIVED AND RESPONDED TO 150 REQUESTS FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION, OR PUBLICATIONS. THE CENTER ESTABLISHED A SUBSTANTIAL LIBRARY OF JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE MATERIALS AND SPONSORED NUMEROUS CONFERENCES REGARDING JUDICIAL CONDUCT. ADDITIONAL PROJECTS OF THE SOCIETY FOCUSED ON COURT MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS RULEMAKING, PENNSYLVANIA'S APPELLATE COURTS, JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE, AND JURY INSTRUCTIONS. OF NEARLY 35,000 SOCIETY MEMBERS, 2,700 WERE NEW. MEMBERSHIP DUES, CONTRIBUTIONS, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT FOR 74 PERCENT OF ALL SOCIETY REVENUE. THIS YEAR, AN 11-PERCENT GAIN IN REVENUE WAS REALIZED OVER THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR. SKETCHES ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)