NCJ Number
75866
Date Published
Unknown
Length
144 pages
Annotation
This annual report, which is offered to the State of Georgia by the Judicial Council, focuses on the need for additional superior court judgeships in the State; extensive statistics relecting judicial activities during 1980 are also provided.
Abstract
The report includes an evaluation of the need for additional superior court judgeships in all 42 judicial circuits in Georgia. Data were collected for the 1980 fiscal year in the superior, State, probate, and juvenile courts of Georgia. For the past 7 years, the council has recommended the creation of additional judgeships based on caseload and population data prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The council's recommendations for 1981 are presented, along with brief circuit reports on each of the nine circuits receiving recommendations. For each of the 42 circuit courts, data tables present caseloads in the superior courts according to 1980 filings, dispositions, circuit population, and potential sources of judicial assistance. With regard to 1981 recommendations, the council believes that the five, one-judge circuits (i.e., Douglas, Mountain, Pataula, Southwestern, and Toombs) should be given priority. Background information and recommendations are also provided for the Blue Ridge, Conasauga, Macon, and Waycross circuits. For example, the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit includes 5 northern Georgia counties, and the 1980 population per superior court judge of the circuit was 58,449, seventh highest in the State. The circuit has experienced a 46-percent growth rate since 1970, and this rate is expected to continue. The circuit ranks 10th highest in the State in total filings per judge for fiscal 1980, and the case backlog accumulates at a rate of 20 percent per year. The creation of more judgeships in the superior courts would help alleviate this situation. Footnotes and numerous data tables are presented throughout the report. Appendixes include additional caseload statistics, the expenditures for an additional superior court judgeship, and related information.