NCJ Number
25056
Date Published
1974
Length
54 pages
Annotation
RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS PRODUCED IN THIS STUDY WHICH EXAMINED SUCH FEATURES OF THE APPELLATE SYSTEM AS COURT OPERATING PROCEDURES, BACKLOGS, AND JUDICIAL CASELOADS TO ASSESS THE EFFICIENCY OF THE APPELLATE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF INTERVIEWS, CASE REVIEW AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, INFORMATION WAS COLLECTED ON THE APPELLATE PROCESS AND SYSTEM. THE STUDY INCLUDED A REVIEW OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN PERFECTING AN APPEAL, BRIEFING AND ARGUMENT. THE COURT'S WORK WAS EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CASELOAD, BOTH THE TOTAL AND MAJOR CATEGORIES OF CASES, TIME WITHIN WHICH CASES ARE DISPOSED OF, AND BACKLOG TRENDS. THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDED AN EXAMINATION OF THE INTERNAL PROCEDURAL STEPS INVOLVED IN THE APPELLATE PROCESS, AND THE TIME ALLOTTED TO EACH: A DETERMINATION WHETHER DELAY WAS OCCURRING AT ANY OF THE STEPS; AND, IF NOTED, RECOMMENDATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE DELAY. AMONG THE INTERNAL PROCEDURES OF THE COURT STUDIED WERE PROCEDURES FOR DISPOSING OF MOTIONS; ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CASE; DECISIONMAKING PROCEDURES; THE USE OF LAW CLERKS; EXPIDITED DISPOSITION OF CASES; THE EMPLOYMENT OF PREROGATIVE AND SUPERVISORY WRITS IN THE APPELLATE COURTS; AND THE SYSTEM OF APPELLATE STATISTICS, RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED CONCERNING THE PANEL STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURE, THE PRESUBMISSION PROCESS, THE SUPREME COURT CLERK, COURT COMMISSIONERS, AND LAW CLERKS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)