NCJ Number
166731
Date Published
1997
Length
164 pages
Annotation
This Annual Report describes the activities of the various Massachusetts court levels for fiscal year 1996, provides operational statistics for the fiscal year, and presents a 5-year summary of cases entered in Massachusetts courts.
Abstract
Following an organization chart for the State court system, the report of the Supreme Judicial Court is presented. It notes that fiscal year 1996 was marked by a continuing increase in the cases submitted for nondiscretionary review, a continuing increase in the proportion of criminal cases to total cases, and maintenance of the Court's high standards for the speed of scheduling arguments and issuing opinions. Highlights of superintendence activity during the year included the adoption of a policy and the creation of a task force on judicial education, the adoption of Juvenile Court rules, continued work on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the receipt of draft Uniform Rules on Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the formation of a broad- based coalition to advocate legislation that authorizes additional funds for courthouse construction and renovation. Reports are also presented for the Appeals Court and the Trial Court and its departments, along with the report of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court. Extensive statistical tables