NCJ Number
43871
Date Published
1977
Length
86 pages
Annotation
THE OPERATIONS OF THE LOWER COURTS OF GILA COUNTY, ARIZ., ARE ANALYZED, AND STEPS FOR IMPROVING LOWER COURT MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT ARIZONA ARE PROPOSED.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE LOWER COURT SYSTEM IN ARIZONA, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE STRUCTURE AND ROLES OF THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS AND CITY MAGISTRATE COURTS. THE ANALYSIS THEN FOCUSES ON GILA COUNTY, A MOUNTAINOUS AREA NEAR PHOENIX, WHICH CONTAINS FIVE JUSTICE COURT PRECINCTS AND FIVE CITY MAGISTRATES. THE ANALYSIS TOUCHES ON COURT WORKLOADS, INFORMATION USE AND EXCHANGE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS, FINANCES, AND ADMINISTRATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LOWER COURT OPERATIONS SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION. THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS ARE RECOMMENDED: (1) ESTABLISH A JUDGE/CLERK COMMITTEE TO ADVISE IN MATTERS OF TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION; (2) DRAFT A MANUAL CONTAINING ALL EXISTING MATERIAL COVERING COURT OPERATIONS (STATE STATUTES, FISCAL PROCEDURES, FORMS, RECORDS, ETC.); (3) COMPLETE A DETAILED WORK PLAN FOR FUTURE ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LOWER COURTS; (4) PRODUCE A BRIEF ADMINISTRATIVE STUDY GUIDE TO ASSIST COURTS IN IMPROVING THEIR OWN OPERATIONS; (5) DESIGN A COMPLETE TRAFFIC COURT WORKSHOP USING LOCAL RESOURCES; (6) PRODUCE A MULTIYEAR PLAN TO GUIDE TRAINING FOR PERSONNEL IN THE LOWER COURTS; AND (7) ESTABLISH A PLAN FOR INSTITUTIONALIZING PROGRAMS IN TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION. DETAILS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING A PHASED ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, ARE INCLUDED, TOGETHER WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.