NATIONAL MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, 4 - COURTS

• NCJ Number: 43741
• Author(s): H GREENSPAN; B GILMAN; L HARRIS; N MILLER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 270 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-035-74
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Planning Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TOTAL JUDICIAL PROCESS EMPLOYMENT, AS ASSESSED BY THIS COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY, IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE 62 PERCENT BY 1985 WITH GREATEST GROWTH IN GENERAL JURISDICTION AND APPELLATE-LEVEL COURTS AND INDIGENT DEFENSE.

Abstract

COURT SYSTEM MANPOWER NEEDS MUST BE ASSESSED IN RELATION TO TWO MAJOR GOALS: EQUITY OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND EFFICIENCY. INCREASES IN CIVIL AS WELL AS CRIMINAL CASELOADS, INCREASED PROVISION OF INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES REQUIRED BY RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS, AND INCREASED PUBLIC PRESSURE TO REDUCE COURT DELAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR A 38 PERCENT INCREASE IN COURT, PROSECUTION, AND INDIGENT DEFENSE AGENCY EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN 1970 AND 1974. DESPITE THIS IMPROVED STAFFING, FELONY CASE BACKLOGS INCREASED BY 10 PERCENT IN 1975. THIS ANALYSIS OF WORKLOADS FINDS THAT IMPROVED MANAGEMENT METHODS, INCREASED USE OF FULL-TIME PROSECUTORS (CONSOLIDATING SMALL OFFICES WHICH USE PART-TIME PROSECUTORS), AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC DEFENDER PERSONNEL WILL BE NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH INCREASING NUMBERS OF CASES. THE DECLINE IN ARRESTS FOR CERTAIN VICTIMLESS CRIMES, SUCH AS PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, HAS REDUCED WORKLOADS IN LOWER LEVEL COURTS, BUT HAS HAD LIMITED IMPACT ON OTHER JUDICIAL PROCESS AGENCIES. FORMAL PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE, CREATING GREATER STAFFING NEEDS. HIGH TURNOVER RATES AMONG ASSISTANT PROSECUTING PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS IS DUE PRIMARILY TO LOW SALARY LEVELS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR SPECIAL TRAINING FOR ENTRY-LEVEL PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE LAWYERS, DUE TO THE LACK OF INSTRUCTION IN PRACTICAL LEGAL SKILLS GIVEN IN LAW SCHOOLS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE TO IMPROVE INSERVICE EDUCATION FOR JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS. THE NEW PROFESSION OF COURT ADMINISTRATOR WILL REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING, ESPECIALLY SINCE FEW OF THESE PERSONS HAVE BOTH BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND JUDICIAL BACKGROUNDS. THE PROBLEM OF SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY FOR COURT ADMINISTRATORS ALSO NEEDS TO BE FACED. TABLES PRESENT EMPLOYMENT AND TRENDS BY JUDICIAL AREA, BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION, AND BY TYPE OF COURT. FOR RELATED VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ-43739, V. 1 'SUMMARY REPORT'; NCJ-43760, V. 2 'LAW ENFORCEMENT'; NCJ-43740, V. 3 'CORRECTIONS'; NCJ-43742, V. 5, TWO PARTS 'CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION AND TRAINING'; AND NCJ-43743, V. 6 'CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANPOWER PLANNING.'