COURT INFORMATION SYSTEMS - PHASE 2 STUDY - NATIONAL EVALUATION PROGRAM, PHASE 1 FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 37886
• Author(s): B KREINDEL; R H ADAMS; R V D CAMPBELL; S P HOBART; J P MORESCHI
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 55 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-NI-99-0018
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Mitre Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NATIONAL EVALUATION PROGRAM

Annotation

THE PHASE ONE INVESTIGATION OF COURT INFORMATION SYSTEM PROJECTS FOCUSES ON KNOWLEDGE OF SYSTEM COSTS AND EFFECTIVENESS, THE FEASIBILITY AND COSTS OF LEARNING MORE ABOUT SUCH SYSTEMS, AND PLANNING FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.

Abstract

IT IS DIRECTLY CONCERNED WITH INFORMATION SYSTEMS WHICH SUPPORT TRIAL COURTS (CASEFLOW MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS OTHER COURT OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT) AND ARE OPERATIONAL IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS. THIS REPORT PRESENTS A DESIGN FOR THE PHASE TWO EVALUATION TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING COURT INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THE PROJECTS WHICH DEVELOP THEM. IT IS BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND KNOWLEDGE OBTAINED FROM THE JUDGMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF COURT INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND DESCRIBES A PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING USEFUL INFORMATION FOR DISSEMINATION TO PLANNERS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS AND OTHER DECISION MAKERS. A TWO-STEP EVALUATION STRATEGY IS SUGGESTED. PHASE TWO-A IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY THE MORE SUCCESSFUL COURT INFORMATION SYSTEMS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF THOSE ELEMENTS OF THE EVALUATION FRAMEWORK (SEE NCJ-37885) WHICH DEAL WITH THE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS, RATHER THAN WITH THE IMPACT OF THE SYSTEM ON COURT OPERATIONS. USING OTHER FRAMEWORK ELEMENTS, PHASE TWO-B WILL EVALUATE THAT IMPACT ONLY IN THOSE COURTS WHICH ALREADY HAVE AN EFFECTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL INFORMATION SYSTEM IN OPERATION. THIS TWO-STEP APPROACH IS BEING RECOMMENDED BECAUSE ONLY IF THE INFORMATION SYSTEM ITSELF IS SUCCESSFUL (AS A SYSTEM), CAN ITS IMPACT ON THE COURT AND ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BE FAIRLY JUDGED AND REPORTED. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE PHASE TWO EVALUATION OF COURT INFORMATION SYSTEMS WILL BE USEFUL NOT ONLY TO FEDERAL AND REGIONAL LEAA OFFICIALS AND TO STATE PLANNING AGENCIES IN CONSIDERING COURT INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT VERSUS OTHER POTENTIAL PROGRAMS, BUT ALSO IN REVIEWING INDIVIDUAL GRANT APPLICATIONS AND ALLOCATING FUNDS AMONG COMPETING PROJECTS. FOR THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS FIVE-VOLUME REPORT, SEE NCJ-37882-85. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)