FOR A MORE PERFECT UNION - COURT REFORM

• NCJ Number: 8998
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 22 pages
• Contract Number(s): LEAA-J-IAA-025-71
• Corporate Author: U.S. Advisory Cmssn on Intergovernmental Relations
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLE AND THE DRAFT OMNIBUS JUDICIAL ACT SUGGESTED BY THE COMMISSION ALONG WITH SELECTED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Abstract

STATE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS OFTEN SUFFER FROM A LACK OF CENTRALIZED COURT ADMINISTRATION, WIDE DISPARITIES IN THE PROCEDURES FOR JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AND DISCIPLINE, AND AN OVER-RELIANCE ON PARTISAN METHODS OF JUDICIAL SELECTION. THE ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FEELS THAT JUDICIAL REFORM IN THESE MATTERS CAN BEST BE ACCOMPLISHED BY CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY ACTION. THE RECOMMENDATIONS SEEK IMPROVEMENT IN COURT ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION, FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION, AND FEDERAL-STATE COURT WORKING RELATIONSHIPS. THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLE AND JUDICIAL ACT ARE INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS BY CLEARLY SETTING FORTH THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE JUDICIARY. AMONG THE SUGGESTED REFORMS ARE THE CREATION OF A UNIFIED STATE COURT SYSTEM WITH UNIFORM RULES AND PROCEDURES AND ADOPTION OF A NON-PARTISAN METHOD OF JUDGE SELECTION. (SNI ABSTRACT)