NCJ Number
69196
Date Published
1979
Length
102 pages
Annotation
THIS 1978 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ARKANSAS JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT CONTAINS STATISTICS FROM THE SUPREME AND OTHER COURTS, OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND OTHERS; APPEALS COURTS ARE NOT COVERED.
Abstract
DURING 1978, THE SUPREME COURT RULED ON 153 CRIMINAL AND 389 CIVIL CASES, TAKING 150-173 DAYS FOR EACH FROM THE TIME OF FILING TO DECISION. REPORTS ARE ALSO PRESENTED ON THE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND OTHER COMMITTEES SUPERVISED BY THE SUPREME COURT. MOST SUPREME COURT CIVIL DECISIONS INVOLVED CONTRACTS, NEGLIGENCE TORTS, APPEALS FROM ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES, AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS. ALMOST 40,000 CASES WERE FILED IN CIRCUIT COURTS, UP 8 PERCENT FROM 1977, WITH CIVIL CASELOADS GROWING MOST RAPIDLY. CHANCERY COURT CASES INCREASED 6 PERCENT OVER 1977. HOWEVER, DISPOSITIONS DECREASED 12 PERCENT IN CIRCUIT AND ALMOST 8 PERCENT IN CHANCERY COURT: FURTHER, NUMBERS OF PENDING CASES HAVE INCREASED MARKEDLY. INCLUDED TABLES LIST CIRCUIT AND CHANCERY COURT JUDGES AND POPULATION PER JUDGE, AND COMPARE NUMBERS OF CASES FILED 1969-1978 IN THE VARIOUS STATE CIRCUITS. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, ELECTED FOR 2-YEAR TERMS IN EACH CIRCUIT, COMMENCE ALL CIVIL AND CRIMINAL ACTION CONCERNING THE STATE OR A COUNTY IN THE CIRCUIT, AND ADVISE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ABOUT THE LAW. TABLES LIST ARKANSAS PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. PUBLIC DEFENDERS WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1975 FOLLOWING U.S. SUPREME COURT RULINGS MANDATING ATTORNEYS FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS. PUBLIC DEFENDERS REPRESENTED 3,270 DEFENDANTS IN ARKANSAS IN 1978 AND HANDLED 2,017 FELONIES. INFORMATION IS ALSO PRESENTED ON COURT REPORTERS AND CLERKS, COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION AND COMMON PLEAS, PROBATE, MUNICIPAL COURTS, AND OTHERS. MUCH TABULAR INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.