NCJ Number
164920
Date Published
1996
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Attorney General Janet Reno presented the keynote address at the National Conference on the Future of the Judiciary, held in Williamsburg, Virginia, in March 1996, and focused on federalism, technology, and innovation.
Abstract
After acknowledging she is a product of the State court system where many Americans experience the criminal justice system and where most legal disputes are resolved, the Attorney General noted that certain aspects of the criminal justice system go beyond the scope of State and local courts and discussed the concept of federalism. She emphasized the importance of partnerships between Federal and State judicial systems, especially in the case of violent crime, to share resources, intelligence, and expertise. In addition, she pointed out that Federal, State, and local authorities need to cooperate in designating prosecutors to promote the most efficient use of limited criminal justice resources and that the "fine line" of federalism should not get blurred because one part of the system has more resources than the other. The Attorney General addressed the importance of innovation and consistency across jurisdictions in dealing with criminal justice matters, the role of technology in improving State court systems, and links between the criminal justice system and the community. She also covered ways in which the police and the courts can more effectively respond to crime, including community policing and court mobilization of local citizens and community agencies, and the need to focus on children and families, particularly in regard to domestic violence.