NCJ Number
15885
Date Published
1973
Length
36 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF EXISTING INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS WHICH STUDY AND RECOMMEND LEVELS OF JUDICIAL COMPENSATION.
Abstract
A MAJOR FUNCTION OF ALL COMMISSIONS IS TO STUDY THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING RATES OF PAY FOR SPECIFIED MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY AND TO REPORT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE AND/OR LEGISLATURE CONCERNING FUTURE PAY RATES. HOWEVER, SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCES EXIST AMONG THE VARIOUS PLANS. ALTHOUGH EACH COMMISSION CONDUCTS A STUDY CONCERNING SALARIES OF THE JUDICIARY, THE POWER OF THE COMMISSION TO EFFECTUATE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS VARIES WIDELY. THE EXISTING PLANS CAN BE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THIS POWER. THREE BASIC MODELS EMERGE. THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FEDERAL AND TWO STATE COMMISSIONS GO INTO EFFECT UNLESS CHALLENGED IN THE LEGISLATURE. IN FIVE STATES THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS MUST AT LEAST BE CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATURE. IN SIX STATES THERE ARE NO STATUTORY PROVISIONS WHICH COMPEL THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)