NCJ Number
188172
Journal
Technical Assistance Bulletin Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 1-46
Date Published
January 2001
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the findings of pilot research on the expansion of judicial workload theory and methods in child abuse and neglect cases.
Abstract
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation challenged the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the American bar Association Center for Children and the Law, and the National Center for State Courts to discuss and critically examine judicial workloads in the area of child abuse and neglect. Among the efforts of these groups has been two pilot research projects: a preliminary assessment of judicial workloads for dependency cases in Santa Clara County, CA, and a pilot research project aimed at expanding judicial workload theory and methods beyond traditional weighted caseload approaches. The latter pilot research is the focus of this report. Following an overview of traditional judicial workload methodology, the paper examines the impact of multiple judicial roles on case processing. The objectives and methods of the judicial workload pilot study were then outlined, followed by a summary of the results and implications of the pilot study for judicial workload studies. The pilot study suggests changing implicit values and expectations that underscore the assessment of judicial time and work in traditional workload studies, as well as changing the methods used to make such assessments. This report thus recommends changes in the underlying philosophy, values, and normative expectations for judicial time, as well as changes in the methodological approach to calculating judicial time and judicial workload. Components of these recommended changes are outlined in this report. 6 figures