RESEARCH FACILITY FOR COURTS

• NCJ Number: 11643
• Journal: Judicature Volume: 56 Issue: 9 Dated: (APRIL 1973) Pages: 377-379
• Author(s): R L ELLIS
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: American Judicature Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE COURT SYSTEM NEEDS A RESEARCH PROJECT TO OBTAIN AN OBJECTIVE, AUTHENTICATED VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM AS IT ACTUALLY EXISTS.

Abstract

THE COURT SYSTEM HAS BEEN THOUGHT TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL AREAS OF LAW AS THEY APPLY TO THE DEFENDANT, BUT ALSO THE SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITY OF ROUTING THE INDIVIDUAL THROUGH THE SYSTEM. THIS SECOND FUNCTION IS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR COURT BACKLOGS AND DELAYS. THE AUTHOR CALLS FOR A STUDY TO DEFINE WAYS TO COORDINATE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE COURT SO THAT IT CAN SHIFT RESOURCES TO REACT RAPIDLY TO CHANGES IN DEMANDS OF BOTH TIME AND SPACE. HE RECOMMENDS A STUDY OF AVAILABLE DATA TO OBTAIN AN OVERVIEW OF SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS AND DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTIVE MODEL OF THE FLOW OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. HE THEN SUGGESTS THAT THIS MODEL BE TESTED IN A COURT TO COMPARE OBSERVED SYSTEM REACTIONS WITH PREDICTED ONES.