NCJ Number
105175
Editor(s)
C R Swanson,
S M Talarico
Date Published
1987
Length
119 pages
Annotation
This anthology highlights the practice, issues, and perspectives related to efforts to improve the administration of justice.
Abstract
Articles are drawn from established legal and social science journals and are authored by both social scientists and court professionals. Part 1 provides an overview of the pressures on courts, the training of court administrators, and the history of this class of professionals. Part 2 describes five administrative innovations that have been proposed as reforms. These include proposals to mandate user fees, efforts to reduce scheduling delays by avoiding continuances due to problems in scheduling civilian and police witnesses, the use of computer technology, and cutback management (including alternative dispute resolution and judicial impact statements). A final article considers the tension between the ideal of justice and the demands for efficiency. Part 3 offers a summary of one justice's assessment of caseload pressure and the need for more efficient management of the work of judges. Different judicial perspectives on the practices of court administration and the premises underlying its advocacy also are outlined. Tables, footnotes, and references.