ASSESSMENT OF THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE FOR THE COURTS IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, (CHARLOTTE), NORTH CAROLINA

• NCJ Number: 65548
• Author(s): H V PENNINGTON; G W ALLISON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 15 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-011-78
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; American University
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS REPORT DOCUMENTS THE MAJOR ISSUES ADDRESSED BY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONSULTANTS IN ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE FOR MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C., COURTS.

Abstract

THE COUNTY REQUESTED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM LEAA'S CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT. THE REQUEST WAS PROMPTED BY THE CONCERN OF THE JUDGES THAT THE WORKLOAD OF THE COURTS AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEMANDS ON THE SYSTEM WERE SUCH THAT INSTITUTING A TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TO HANDLE CERTAIN NONJUDICIAL ASPECTS OF THE WORKLOAD WAS NECESSARY. TWO CONSULTANTS MADE AN ONSITE ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM. BASED ON THE SITE STUDY, IT APPEARED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR SOMEONE IN THE COURT SYSTEM TO WORK ON ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ALONG WITH THE TWO ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES. DUE TO THE ROTATION SYSTEM FOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES, ADMINISTRATIVE CONSISTENCY WAS LACKING. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNTY HIRE A COURT ADMINISTRATOR--PREFERABLY A SOUTHERNER AND A NORTH CAROLINIAN. THE POSITION SHOULD BE FILLED BY SOMEONE WITH COURT EXPERIENCE AND A STRONG MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND WHO WOULD WORK DIRECTLY FOR THE SENIOR RESIDENT JUDGE AND THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT. LIAISON AND COORDINATION SHOULD BE PRIMARY DUTIES, AND THE ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE COURT AND THE SYSTEM INITIALLY, THEN MOVING TO HANDLE DAILY PROBLEMS THAT ARISE. (MJM)