DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTAL COURT REFORMS

• NCJ Number: 9992
• Author(s): J B JENNINGS
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: Rand Corporation
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. PAPER PRESENTED AT 12TH MEETING, INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, DETROIT, MI, OCT 2, 1971

Annotation

EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT CONCERNED WITH INTERNAL REORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM IN THE MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT.

Abstract

THIS PAPER FOCUSES ON 'EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, SELECTION OF EVALUATION CRITERIA, MEASUREMENT OF COURT PERFORMANCE, AND ASSESSMENT OF THE RESULTS OF SUCH A TEST.' THE CRITERIA SELECTED FOR EVALUATING THE MASTER CALENDAR SYSTEM WERE DIVIDED INTO FOUR AREAS. THESE WERE 'FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE IN THE COURT, EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH CASES ARE PROCESSED, BURDENS PLACED ON PARTICIPANTS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND PERIPHERAL CRITERIA.' THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE EXPERIMENT SUPPORTED THE CENTRAL HYPOTHESES 'THAT MANY TASKS NOW PERFORMED BY JUDGES CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLERICAL PERSONNEL, THAT MUCH OF THE ACTIVITY WHICH WASTES JUDGES' TIME CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE COURTROOM, AND THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE COURT CAN BE THEREBY IMPROVED.' (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)