STUDY DESIGN TO DETERMINE RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN THE DELAWARE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SYSTEM AND SPECIFIC ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED - CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 46012
• Author(s): P SCHWINDT; S HAYS; A MALECH
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 27 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-013-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; American University
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE RESOURCES NEEDED, THEIR LOCATION, AND THE SCHEDULES NEEDED BY THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT SYSTEM IN DELAWARE TO ENSURE A PROPER LEVEL OF JUDICIAL SERVICES ARE THE MATTERS CONSIDERED IN THE RESEARCH DESIGN.

Abstract

IT IS CONSIDERED THAT TO PROPOSE A REASONABLE DISTRIBUTION OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT SERVICE CENTERS AND AN APPROPRIATE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AMONG THE CENTERS, INFORMATION MUST BE GATHERED AND ANALYZED THAT DESCRIBES THE PRESENT RESOURCES AND WORKLOADS OF EXISTING LOCATIONS. THE DATA MUST BE SUCH THAT IT WILL PERMIT DEVELOPMENT OF OPTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF COURT CENTERS THAT MAY BE TESTED AGAINST PREDICTIONS OF FUTURE WORKLOAD AND STANDARDS OF ACCESSIBILITY. TO THIS END, THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH UNDERTAKINGS ARE PROPOSED: INVENTORY OF EXISTING RESOURCES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION; ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES NEEDED FOR PROPERLY FUNCTIONING COURT CENTERS; ANALYSIS OF PRESENT WORKLOAD PATTERNS AIMED AT SUGGESTING REORGANIZATIONS OF LOCATIONS AND RESOURCES; DEVELOPMENT OF REORGANZATION PLANS; EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF REORGANIZATION PLANS ON ACCESSIBILITY; AND SELECTION OF THE BEST RESTRUCTURING PLAN. A COMMITTEE REPRESENTING THOSE INVOLVED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE DELAWARE LOWER COURT SYSTEM MET TO IDENTIFY THE CONCERNS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SYSTEM. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, COURT CLERKS, CONSTABLES, ATTORNEYS PRACTICING IN THESE COURTS, AND STATE AND LOCAL POLICE. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRETRIAL RELEASE OFFICE, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, AND THE FORMER DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO TOOK PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS. PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED AND CONSIDERATIONS RAISED AT THIS MEETING INCLUDED CASELOAD AND RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND ALL MANNER OF OPERATING PROCEDURES. ALL OF THESE SEPARATE ITEMS WILL MERGE INTO THE STUDY OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM AND BE ADDRESSED AS PART OF THE WHOLE. (RCB)