STATE OF THE JUDICIARY

• NCJ Number: 51802
• Journal: ALABAMA LAWYER Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 300-305
• Author(s): C C TORBERT JR
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Alabama State Bar
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ALABAMA STATE BAR, MOBILE (AL), JULY 20, 1978

Annotation

THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA COMMENTS ON THE STATUS OF ALABAMA'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM, TOUCHING ON JURY MANAGEMENT, CASELOAD MANAGEMENT, AND JUDICIAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

Abstract

THE OCCASION FOR THE REMARKS WAS A JOINT GATHERING OF ALABAMA'S JUDGES AND LAWYERS, HELD IN JULY 1978. THE MODERNIZATION OF ALABAMA'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM, WHICH BEGAN IN 1973, IS DESCRIBED AS ESSENTIALLY COMPLETE. THE SYSTEM IS SAID TO BE ONE IN WHICH ACCOUNTABILITY RULES: ACCOUNTABILITY THAT FACILITATES PROPER BUDGETING FOR DELIVERY OF COURT SERVICES; ACCOUNTABILITY THAT MANDATES JUSTIFICATION BEFORE NEW JUDGES OR OTHER PERSONNEL ARE ADDED TO THE PAYROLL; AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN BOTH THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF JUDICIAL SERVICES RENDERED. THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE BAR AND THE BENCH IN IMPROVING COURT OPERATIONS IS OBSERVED. THE STATE'S JURY QUALIFICATION AND SELECTION ACT, WHICH ELIMINATES ALL CLASS EXEMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE AND MANDATES THE UPGRADING OF JURY SOURCE LISTS AND SELECTION PROCEDURES IN ALL COUNTIES, IS CITED, AS IS ONE COUNTY'S 'CODE-A-PHONE' SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS JURORS TO CALL IN AND FIND OUT IF THEY ARE NEEDED IN COURT THE NEXT DAY. AN UPWARD TREND IN COURT FILINGS THROUGHOUT THE STATE IS NOTED, AS ARE PLANS TO COMPILE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON FILINGS AND DISPOSITIONS AS AN AID IN CASELOAD MANAGEMENT. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSIONS IN EACH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT AND THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO COVER FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF INDIGENT DEFENSE ARE POINTED OUT. PLANS TO ESTABLISH THE ALABAMA JUDICIAL COLLEGE, A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF CONTINUING JUDICIAL EDUCATION, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ARE ANNOUNCED. THE COLLEGE WILL PROVIDE ORIENTATION, CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, AND SPECIAL SUBJECT PROGRAMS FOR JUDGES AND COURT SUPPORT PERSONNEL; MAKE AVAILABLE LEGAL RESEARCH, REFERENCE AIDS, AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR COURT-RELATED PURPOSES; CONDUCT BASIC RESEARCH; AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AIMED AT IMPROVING COURT SERVICES. (LKM)