NCJ Number
46394
Date Published
1977
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THE 1977 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF NEW MEXICO IS PRESENTED, DEALING WITH NUMEROUS ISSUES SUCH AS JUROR SELECTION, JURY TERMS, AND JUDICIAL SALARIES.
Abstract
THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL IS A STATE BODY COMPOSED OF JUDGES, LEGISLATORS, LAWYERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS WHO MONITOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND THE OPERATION OF THE COURTS IN THE STATE. ONE IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE COUNCIL IS TO RECEIVE CITIZEN COMMENT, AND THEREFORE, THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW MEXICANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, A GROUP WHICH DURING THE YEAR CHANGED ITS NAME TO COURT UPDATE, IS INCLUDED HERE. A COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL TO STUDY JURY SELECTION, WHICH IS DONE FROM POLL BOOKS AND VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER PLACING THESE VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS IN COMPUTERS AND USING THEM FOR JURY SELECTION WOULD BE LESS EXPENSIVE OR MORE FUNCTIONAL THAN THE PRESENT SYSTEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF EACH DISTRICT RESPONDED TO A QUESTIONNAIRE ON JUROR SELECTION, AND ABOUT HALF OF THEM HAD ONLY MINOR CRITICISM OF THE SYSTEM. THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDED THAT A CENTRALIZED BANK OF JURORS BE BASED ON REGISTERED VOTER LISTS AND A LIST OF LICENSED DRIVERS, IN ORDER TO MAKE JURIES MORE REPRESENTATIVE. THE 1977 LEGISLATURE REDUCED THE TERM OF PETIT JURY SERVICE FROM 6 TO 3 MONTHS. THE COUNCIL ALSO FELT THAT IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO ENACT A LAW MAKING IT ILLEGAL FOR EMPLOYERS TO COERCE EMPLOYEES SUMMONED TO JURY DUTY. THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO EXAMINE THE USE OF REFEREES OR PARA-JUDGES. A PANEL ON PLEA BARGAINING PRODUCED NO CONSENSUS, BUT IT WAS GENERALLY FELT THAT THE PRACTICE WOULD CONTINUE BUT COULD BE IMPROVED. THE SUBJECT OF CRITICISM OF JUDGES WAS DISCUSSED, BUT THE COUNCIL FELT THAT A MECHANISM FOR RESPONSE LAY WITH THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION AND SUPREME COURT. THE QUESTION OF JUDICARE WILL CONTINUE TO BE STUDIED. VARIOUS DECISIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BY THE SUPREME COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEALS ARE BRIEFLY SKETCHED, AS ARE NEW LAWS THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE COURTS. A TABLE IS PRESENTED WHICH SHOWS THAT SALARIES OF JUDGES, THOUGH INCREASED IN 1977, HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE ON JUROR RIGHTS, JURY TERMS, TRANSCRIPT FEES FOR COURT REPORTERS, AND CREATING ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS. (DJM)