NCJ Number
45069
Date Published
1977
Length
90 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS IN THE CLERICAL AND RECORDING PROCESSES EMPLOYED BY THE CITY COURT IN OGDEN, UTAH, ARE EXAMINED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING RECORDKEEPING PROCEDURES ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THE INTRODUCTORY SECTION NOTES THAT MANY OF THE RECORD MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS OF THE COURT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO 'TIME-HONORED' OR TRADITIONAL WAYS OF HANDLING COURT BUSINESS. GROWING WORKLOADS, CHANGES IN JURISDICTION, AND A HIGH TURNOVER IN PERSONNEL ALSO AFFECT CLERICAL PROCESSES. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CITY'S PRESIDING JUDGE IN THE FORM OF SUGGESTED REVISIONS IN CASE-PROCESSING METHODS ARE NOTED, AS ARE CONSTRAINTS THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH PRIOR TO CHANGING PROCEDURES IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. THESE CONSTRAINTS INVOLVE CHANGES IN JURISDICTION, AUTOMATION OF CERTAIN MANUAL CASE-PROCESSING STEPS, AND THE INTERESTS OF THE STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, THE CITY COURT ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, THE CLERK OF THE COURT, AND THOSE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COURT. A SUMMARY OF THE EXISTING SITUATION, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE, AND, IN SOME CASES, A COMPARISON OF THE CONSULTANTS' AND THE PRESIDING JUDGE'S RECOMMENDATIONS, ARE PRESENTED IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SMALL CLAIMS; CIVIL CASES; CRIMINAL CASES (NUMBERING SYSTEM, FILING SYSTEM, INDEXING, AND REGISTER OF ACTIONS); TRAFFIC CITATIONS; PARKING VIOLATIONS; AND REMITTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM (CASH CONTROL, HAND RECEIPTS, AND RECORDKEEPING). APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE SAMPLE FORMS, A COPY OF THE PROBLEM DEFINITION REPORT UPON WHICH THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED IN PART, AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.