NCJ Number
34407
Date Published
1976
Length
256 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK ATTEMPTS TO DESCRIBE CONTEMPORARY COURTS, THEIR PROGRESS, PROBLEMS, AND PROCESSES AND EMPHASIZES A WIDE SEARCH FOR POLICIES AND STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Abstract
THE TEXT EXAMINES STATE AND LOCAL COURTS - THEIR STRUCTURE, ADMINISTRATION, CASEFLOW, INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH MAJOR COLLABORATIVE AGENCIES, CURRENT PROBLEMS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS. THE JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION AND PROCESS ARE VIEWED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF COURT ADMINISTRATION USING MANAGERIAL INSIGHTS AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS - AND FROM THE LARGER PERSPECTIVE OF COURT IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND ON INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANTS AND LITIGANTS. THE AUTHOR ADDRESSES INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ISSUES CONFRONTING THE COURTS, SUGGESTING THEY LIMIT JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO BETTER COPE WITH THEIR REMAINING DUTIES. HE ALSO URGES THAT CASES BE EXPEDITED, TRIAL COURTS BE UNIFIED, CITIZENS BE INVOLVED MORE PRODUCTIVELY AND JUDGES BE REMOVED FROM THE PARTISAN PROCESS. THIS WORK INCLUDES A CHAPTER ON THE JUVENILE COURT AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EMERGING DIRECTIONS OF JUDICIAL SYSTEM REFORM. OTHER CHAPTERS COVERED THE COURTS AND THE PUBLIC, THE FELONY, LOWER CRIMINAL, CIVIL AND APPELLATE COURTS, THE PROSECUTION AND THE PROVISION OF PROSECUTION SERVICES, AND THE DEFENSE FUNCTION AND THE PROVISION OF DEFENSE SERVICES. APPENDED ARE ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF STATE COURT SYSTEMS AND SELECTED AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. AN INDEX IS ALSO PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)