NCJ Number
9891
Date Published
1968
Length
103 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LOWER COURTS IN RESPECT TO QUALITY OF THE JUDICIARY, REASONABLE EXPENSE, AND READY ACCESSIBILITY, WITH A VIEW TOWARD COURT REFORM.
Abstract
DEFICIENCIES OF THE COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION IN EACH OF THE ABOVE CRITERION ARE DISCUSSED. SEVERAL COURT REFORM MODELS, INCLUDING THE ABA'S 'MODEL STATE JUDICIAL ARTICLE' AND ILLINOIS' NEW SYSTEM, ARE PRESENTED. THESE WOULD EFFECT SYSTEMIC CHANGE BY REVISING A STATE'S ENTIRE COURT STRUCTURE. AUXILIARY CHANGES WHICH WOULD NOT REQUIRE STRUCTURAL REFORM ARE ALSO INCLUDED, SUCH AS INCREASED SALARIES FOR JUDGES AND IMPROVED PHYSICAL FACILITIES, COMPARABLE TO THOSE PROVIDED FOR COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION. THE NEED FOR COURT REFORM IS STRONGLY EMPHASIZED THROUGHOUT, AS ARE THE OBSTACLES WHICH IMPEDE THAT REFORM. APPENDICES INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION IN THE 50 STATES AND PUERTO RICO, AND EXCERPTS FROM THE MODEL STATE JUDICIAL ARTICLE AND THE ILLINOIS JUDICIAL ARTICLE.