NCJ Number
94971
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This historical analysis of the movement of criminal cases through the Iowa courts shows that the courts have been operating at a much slower pace in the last two decades.
Abstract
Criminal cases filed in the Iowa courts expanded by 273 percent from 1972 to 1983, whereas the number completed rose by only 49.6 percent. This increase followed a 195-percent rise in the State's crime rate over the same period. Of all cases docketed, three-fourths were disposed of in 1973, 52 percent in 1978, and only 49 percent in 1983. These figures do not include the number of cases pending each year. For example, in 1983 when 39,952 cases were docketed, there were an additional 19,908 pending from the previous year. The mobility or turnover of cases was 76 percent in 1958, 80.3 percent in 1961, 69 percent in 1969, and 63.4 percent in 1970. In 1983, 2.6 percent of the cases were tried to jury, 4.6 tried to court, and 92.8 without a trial. A common belief is that judicial procedures often operate too slowly. An analysis of dispositions from the 1968-71 period shows that 19.3 percent of the jury trials were completed in less than 2 months, 34.3 percent in 2.5 to 4 months, and 23.7 percent in 4.5 to 6 months. For cases tried by the court, 24.2 percent were disposed of in 2 months or less, 35.1 percent in 2.5 to 4 months, and 16.5 percent in 4.5 to 6 months. The implications of these findings for the courts' reputation and effectiveness are discussed. Tables, graphs, and references are supplied.