NCJ Number
46721
Date Published
1977
Length
245 pages
Annotation
A STATISTICAL AND NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION OF THE DELAWARE COURT SYSTEM IS PRESENTED TOGETHER WITH SUMMARIES OF CHANGES IN THE STATE'S LEGAL CODE. DATA COVER FISCAL YEAR 1977 (JULY 1, 1976-JUNE 30, 1977).
Abstract
THE REPORT PRESENTS AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF THE DELAWARE JUDICIARY, A SUMMARY OF JUDICIAL BUDGETS FOR 1976-1979, SUMMARIES OF COURT-GENERATED GENERAL FUND REVENUES, AND OPERATIONAL SUMMARIES FOR EACH LEVEL OF THE STATE COURT SYSTEM. TABLES SUMMARIZE NUMBER OF JUDGES, CASELOADS, CASE DISPOSITIONS, TYPES OF CASES HANDLED, NUMBER OF SUPPORT PERSONNEL, AND BUDGETS. MAPS ARE PROVIDED INDICATING THE LOCATIONS OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS AND ALDERMAN'S COURTS. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL FUNDS ARE LISTED, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTERIZED JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROFESSIONAL JUDICIAL PLANNING STAFF. COURT RULE CHANGES DURING 1977 ARE SUMMARIZED. LEGISLATION OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COURTS INCLUDES A NEW CAPITAL PUNISHMENT STATUTE, A STATUTE WHICH ALLOWS THE STATE TO RECOUP PUBLIC DEFENDER COSTS IN CERTAIN CASES, A LAW MAKING ABUSE OF FOOD STAMPS A CRIME, AND TECHNICAL CHANGES IN EXISTING LAWS CONCERNING SEXUAL OFFENSES, PORNOGRAPHY, CHANGE OF VENUE, AND ADOPTION. CHARTS SUMMARIZE TRENDS, INCLUDING INCREASES IN CASELOADS, IN CRIMINAL CASES, IN CIVIL CASES, AND A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF CASES GOING TO APPEAL. (GLR)