NCJ Number
69459
Date Published
1979
Length
68 pages
Annotation
THIS CONNECTICUT STUDY ASSESSES BOTH THE IMPACT OF UNIFICATION UPON THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND THE VARIOUS RESULTS ACHIEVED DURING THE INITIAL YEAR, 1978 TO 1979.
Abstract
AFTER THE CIRCUIT COURT AND THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS WERE MERGED IN 1974, AND THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND THE SUPERIOR COURT MERGED IN 1978, CONNECTICUT BECAME THE FIRST STATE WITH A SINGLE, UNIFIED TRIAL COURT, CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED, AND ENTIRELY STATE FINANCED. IT BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT BECAUSE THE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WOULD REQUIRE MASSIVE CHANGES IN VIRTUALLY ALL AREAS, THE GOAL OF COURT UNIFICATION COULD NOT BE FULLY ATTAINED IN THE FIRST YEAR. THIS RESULTANT SURVEY MONITORS THE COMPLEX INTERDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SUCH AREAS AS CASE MANAGEMENT, RULES OF PROCEDURE, JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS, SUPPORT SERVICES, AVAILABLE PHYSICAL FACILITIES, AND STAFF RESOURCES. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW COURT SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED AS IT AFFECTED THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL DIVISIONS COURT SERVICES, WHICH HAVE EXPANDED WHILE CONSOLIDATING. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE THE FAMILY DIVISION, ADULT PROBATION, JURY ADMINISTRATION, AND THE RESEARCH AND PLANNING FUNCTIONS. THE SUPERIOR COURT LAW CLERKS AND THE MODEL JURY INSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND THE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ALL JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. CASELOAD STATISTICS FOR THE CRIMINAL, CIVIL, FAMILY, AND HOUSING AREAS ARE APPENDED.