NCJ Number
78700
Date Published
1980
Length
922 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of the Arkansas Fundamental Court Improvement Project, which aimed to reform the State's constitution by developing a new judicial article. The draft judicial article; the research and documentation of the existing system; several reports; and proposals for implementing improvements to the system are included.
Abstract
After extensive discussion and debate, a special task force completed work on the judicial article in May 1979. The article placed the judicial power of the State in four courts: a supreme court, an intermediate court of appeals, a general jurisdiction trial court (the circuit court), and a limited jurisdiction trial court (the district court). The article also provided for the terms, election, and qualifications of justices and judges; supreme court rulemaking and administrative authority; the discipline and removal of justices and judges; and authority for the supreme court to establish the jurisdiction and venue of all courts. A constitutional convention heard these task force recommendations and presented a final proposed constitution, which was placed on the ballot and defeated. The task force then completed research papers which would serve as documentation of the existing system. The papers included in this report provide an analysis of trial and appellate jurisdiction, qualifications of judges, methods of initial selection and the filling of vacancies, assignment of judges, and a discussion of the rulemaking and administrative authority of the courts. Other papers address court finances, court personnel, caseload analyses, and a facilities profile. The public education program, aimed at educating State residents about court improvement efforts, and additional proposals made by the task force after electoral defeat of the proposed constitution are included. The task force membership roster and schedule of meetings are supplied.