NCJ Number
149839
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1994) Pages: 28-34
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the background of and the programs developed from a comprehensive program in appellate delay reduction from 1990 to 1992 with eight volunteer State courts.
Abstract
The courts involved are the Alabama Supreme Court, Illinois Appellate Court (Fifth District), Texas Court of Appeals (Fifth District), District of Columbia Court of Appeals, California Court of Appeal (Fourth District), Supreme Court of Vermont, Colorado Court of Appeals, and Court of Appeals of Ohio (Tenth District). Before beginning their own delay-reduction programs, teams of five members from each of the eight courts attended a workshop, where they received training and technical assistance to establish a delay-reduction program. The core of the workshop training was the ABA's Standards Relating to Appellate Delay Reduction. The standards direct appellate courts to supervise and control the preparation and presentation of all appeals before them, and they contain benchmarks for the time required to dispose of appellate cases. The standards also contemplate that fair case assignment procedures will be used. Finally, the standards recommend that caseload statistics be compiled and maintained on the court's compliance with time standards and that they be issued to the public on a regular basis. The delay-reduction project of each court is described. The experiences of the eight courts attest to the ability to improve caseflow management in an era of burgeoning caseloads and decreasing resources. The key apparently is to adopt a systematic and organized approach and to have people committed to the goals of delay reduction and greater efficiency in the administration of justice. 28 notes