NCJ Number
116440
Date Published
1989
Length
247 pages
Annotation
This first volume in a four-volume final report on the Hawaii judicial system master plan lays the foundation for the development of a capital improvement plan by analyzing historic increases in population, court workloads, and judicial personnel and forecasting judicial facility needs to accommodate future caseload and judgeship levels.
Abstract
Ten basic models were used to project future caseloads for each circuit in the State, and three were used to forecast future judgeship levels. Between 1973 and 1987, the State's population grew from about 851,600 to 1,087,900, an increase of approximately 236,300 people or 28 percent over the 15-year period. Projected population is expected to be about 1,359,500 in 2005, an increase of 271,600 people or about 25 percent. It is believed that although the rate of growth will slow slightly in terms of impact, the demand for judicial services in the future forecast period will resemble that of the historical data period. This implies increases in filings at all Statewide jurisdictional levels. On the basis of projected increases in filings and the projected number of judges required to resolve future caseloads, the circuit court is expected to exhibit relatively modest growth through the turn of the century. The district court will probably continue to show erratic growth patterns, particularly with respect to traffic cases, but will continue to grow at a significant pace; the family court will probably grow at the fastest pace. Despite caseload management efforts and improved information technologies, the circuit court is expected to require an additional judge every 4 to 5 years, while the other two courts will probably have to add new judges approximately every 3 years. Chapter tables and figures. See NCJ-116441 through NCJ-116443 for Volumes 2 through 4.