NCJ Number
54324
Date Published
1977
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THE REORGANIZATION OF MAINE'S COURT SYSTEM UNDER COURT REFORM LEGISLATION ADOPTED BY THE 107TH LEGISLATURE AND THE WORK OF A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS IS DETAILED.
Abstract
THIS REPORT COVERS THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1975 THROUGH DECEMBER 1976 AND DESCRIBES THE MANY CHANGES MADE IN THE MAINE COURT SYSTEM DURING THAT TIME. MOST CHANGES HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED BY A TRIAL COURT REVISION COMMISSION CREATED IN 1973, ALTHOUGH OTHERS WERE THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED AFTER THE COURT REVISION PROCESS BEGAN. THE MAJOR CHANGES INVOLVED DEVELOPMENT OF A UNIFIED COURT BUDGET, DEVELOPMENT OF A COURT PERSONNEL SYSTEM, STATE APPROPRIATION FOR FUNDING OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, CREATION OF JUDICIAL REGIONS, AND APPOINTMENT OF SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS. A HOST OF LESSER CHANGES ALSO WERE INSTITUTED, RANGING FROM IMPROVED CASE MANAGEMENT TO BETTER USE OF COURT REPORTER TIME. IMPROVED JURY MANAGEMENT, IMPROVED EXHIBIT AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT, AND IMPROVED COUNTY LAW LIBRARIES ARE PROJECTS UNDER WAY. APPENDIXES PRESENT COURT STATISTICS WHICH SHOW THAT CIVIL AND CRIMINAL FILINGS AND CASE DISPOSITION TIME HAVE DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. IMPROVED HANDLING OF PETTY TRAFFIC OFFENSES IS CREDITED WITH THE REDUCTION IN CRIMINAL CASELOADS. CRIMINAL CASE DATA PROVIDED BY COUNTY INCLUDE NUMBER OF CASES FILED AND INDICTMENTS DISPOSED, NUMBER OF DAYS BETWEEN FILING DATE AND DATE OF DISPOSITION, NUMBER OF TRANSFERS DISPOSED, NUMBER OF DAYS TO DISPOSITION FOR TRANSFERS, AND NUMBER OF TRIALS. SIMILAR DATA IS PROVIDED FOR CIVIL CASES. (GLR)