NCJ Number
92557
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1983) Pages: 38-41,60-62
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A trial court delay reduction program at either the State or local level requires an organizational/planning phase of 6 months to a year's duration and an implementation phase of 2 or 3 years.
Abstract
Ten tasks provide the framework for such a statewide program: decide who should be doing what; define the problem and develop the data; revise statewide standards and procedures; establish a trial court management structure; form a delay-reduction coordinating committee; fix reporting requirements under new standards and rules; eliminate major case backlogs; conduct education and training for all principal actors; develop technical assistance and support services; and monitor trial court performance and followup. These tasks, which require coordination with the bar and continuous briefings of the legislature, media, and interested community groups, furnish a basic structure for a delay reduction program, applying accepted management principles to the court system. At this time, major statewide delay reduction initiatives have been completed or are underway in New Jersey, Alabama, Massachusetts, Kansas, New York and elsewhere. Other States adopt less comprehensive reforms by establishing new statewide trial standards, revising criminal and civil procedures, and developing trial court reporting systems. Examples of major trial court delay reduction programs in New Jersey, Alabama, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Kansas are briefly described.