NCJ Number
67133
Editor(s)
N C SMITH
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF FAMILY COURT PRINCIPLES, PROCEDURES, AND ORGANIZATION IS PRESENTED IN A MONOGRAPH PREPARED FOR USE IN TRAINING PROGRAMS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JUVENILE COURT JUDGES.
Abstract
THE MONOGRAPH OPENS WITH A DISCUSSION OF BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR FAMILY COURTS. THESE INCLUDE BROAD JURISDICTION OVER FAMILY MATTERS; OPERATION AS A COURT THAT ALSO MAKES SOUND USE OF SOCIAL SKILLS; CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN PROCEEDINGS, SENTENCING, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COURT ORDERS; ACHIEVEMENT OF MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS WHILE CONSERVING TIME AND MONEY; RESPECTFUL TREATMENT OF PERSONS WHO COME INTO COURT; AND ASSURANCE THAT AGENCIES OUTSIDE OF THE COURT, SUCH AS STATE TRAINING SCHOOLS, CARRY OUT COURT ORDERS EFFECTIVELY. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE PROCEDURE, TOUCHING ON THE FORMULATION OF COURT RULES AND PROCEDURES; THE STATUS OF THE FAMILY COURT; EFFICIENCY IN DOCKETING, SCREENING, AND OTHER PROCESSES; OPENNESS OF THE COURT; SELECTION AND ROLES OF JUDGES, COURT COUNSELORS, AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS; AND USE OF OUTSIDE RESOURCES. FINALLY, THE APPLICATION OF MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES IN COURT ORGANIZATION IS CONSIDERED, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PLACING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERALL SUPERVISION OF COURT ADMINISTRATION IN ONE JUDGE. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED.