IDAHO COURTS ANNUAL REPORT, 1976

• NCJ Number: 57854
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 32 pages
• Corporate Author: Idaho Administrative Office of the Courts
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Annual/Periodic)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE 1976 IDAHO COURTS ANNUAL REPORT PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF COURT OPERATIONS IN TERMS OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE STATE COURTS, THEIR FUNCTIONS, ADMINISTRATION, CASELOAD, COSTS, NEW PROGRAMS, AND 1976 COURT LEGISLATION.

Abstract

THE IDAHO JUDICIAL SYSTEM HAS BECOME A MODEL FOR OTHER STATES. ITS DISTINCTIVE FEATURES ARE A TWO-TIERED STRUCTURE OF A SUPREME COURT AND DISTRICT COURTS WITH THEIR MAGISTRATE DIVISION, AND A NUMBER OF INNOVATIVE ADMINISTRATION REFORMS. THE JUDICIAL CHANGES DID NOT COME OVERNIGHT, IN FACT, ALMOST 20 YEARS PASSED BEFORE THE 1969 LEGISLATURE ENACTED THESE REFORMS. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN THE EARLY 1960'S GAVE THE STATE SUPREME COURT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OVER THE TRIAL COURTS AND PROVIDED A METHOD OF SUPERVISING TRIAL COURT OPERATIONS. THE SUPREME COURT IS THE STATE'S COURT OF LAST RESORT. THERE ARE SIX JUDGES ELECTED ON NONPARTISAN BALLOTS. THE DISTRICT COURT IS THE TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, WHILE THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION EXERCISES LIMITED JURISDICTION. THE SEVEN-MEMBER IDAHO JUDICIAL COUNCIL GIVES THE GOVERNOR NAMES OF PERSONS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND DISTRICT COURTS. IT ALSO SUPERVISES THE REMOVAL, DISCIPLINE, AND RETIREMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS. THE JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION STRUCTURE INCLUDES A REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS, TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATION, AND A STATE LAW LIBRARY. WHILE THE NUMBER OF APPEALS TO THE SUPREME COURT DECLINED IN 1976 TO 295, THIS WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST NUMBER EVER HEARD. HOWEVER, THE TRIAL COURTS CASELOAD INCREASED AS 262,419 NEW 1976 CASES WERE HEARD BY DISTRICT COURTS AND THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION. STATE EXPENDITURES FOR FISCAL 1976 COURT OPERATING COSTS TOTALED $3,787,300. NEW PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREAS OF COURT PLANNING, APPELLATE PROCEDURE RULES, CONTINUING JUDICIAL EDUCATION, MODERNIZATION OF CRIMINAL RULES, LEGAL AND PROCEDURAL MANUALS, SUPREME COURT COMPUTER OPERATIONS, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ARE DISCUSSED, IN ADDITION TO 1976 LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE COURTS. STATISTICAL TABLES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)