NCJ Number
100444
Date Published
1984
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This 1983 study examines the three components of State court unification -- lower court consolidation, centralized administration, and State financing -- and offers relevant legislative recommendations for the Montana Legislature.
Abstract
The discussion of each component covers background information and the subcommittee's deliberations on the component. Lower court consolidation as a component of court unification involves simplifying court structure by reducing the number of trial courts. Centralized administration vests responsibility for operating the unified court system in a single person or group and develops an administrative structure to facilitate the implementation of this centralized authority. State court financing reduces variations in court funding levels among counties, producing a uniform system of justice throughout the State. The subcommittee recommends legislation requiring the Supreme Court Administrator to conduct orientation courses and training sessions for district court clerks, their deputies, and persons who perform duties similar to those of the district court clerks. The subcommittee also recommends legislation authorizing the State to fund certain district court expenses as well as the district court grant program. Appendixes contain a listing of staff reports, a summary of jurisdiction exercised by Montana courts, an options checklist on court unification, and district court fiscal years 1982-83 expenditures. 6 notes.