NCJ Number
74029
Date Published
1980
Length
311 pages
Annotation
The Institute of Judicial Administration's (IJA) phase two report to the Attorney General of New York State, which focuses on the management and operations of the Department of Law, is presented.
Abstract
Several problem areas were identified in the first phase report that were not within the mandate of that study and required further investigation. Accordingly, the Attorney General requested IJA to continue its study of the department and to focus on six areas. These areas include the regional office network, library and research services, training of department personnel, management information and word processing systems, the use of outside counsel by State agencies, and the statutory powers of the Attorney General. This document is the report of the second study. The most significant conclusion to be drawn from IJA's second study is that the department needs additional resources and support services to enable its attorneys to provide quality legal representation. The department's library collections must be expanded to serve basic research needs. Similarly, the department regional offices' primary need is for additional staff and improved office equipment. In addition, the department needs a formal training and orientation program for its staff and an efficient system to monitor and record case information. In each of these areas, the department has already adopted many of the recommendations contained in individually submitted IJA reports and in some cases is seeking funding for their implementation. Footnotes are included in the study. (Author abstract modified).