On Trial: The Length of Civil and Criminal Trials

• NCJ Number: 115768
• Author(s): D A Sipes; M E Oram
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 128 pages
• Grant Number(s): 85-IJ-CX-0044
• Sponsoring Agency: National Ctr for State Courts; National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: National Ctr for State Courts; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study analyzed over 1,500 jury and nonjury trials in general jurisdiction trial courts in New Jersey, Colorado, and California, concluding that length of trial can be shortened without sacrificing fairness.

Abstract

Only civil and criminal felony trials were studied and extensive data on these trials were collected over a period of one year. These quantitative data were supplemented by field visits to and observations of each court studied as well as interviews with attorneys, judges, and court personnel. In addition, judges and attorneys in each jurisdiction studied were asked to respond to attitudinal surveys regarding the trial process. The primary purpose of the study was to measure, with reliability, the length of civil and criminal trials among general jurisdiction courts within the same State and in different States. Additionally, the study identifies factors contributing to longer trials and promising techniques for shortening trial time without jeopardizing fairness or perceptions of fairness. The study concludes that trial length can be shortened without sacrificing fairness if judges manage each phase of the trial and if continuity in trial days is increased. Appendixes include methodology and data collection forms, civil and criminal trial length data, and a bibliography.