UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM FOR VERMONT

• NCJ Number: 35345
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 270 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Vermont Governor's Cmssn on the Admin of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for State Courts
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS, THIS REPORT OUTLINES A PLAN FOR THE UNIFICATION OF THE VERMONT COURTS WHICH WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RATIFIED IN VERMONT IN 1974.

Abstract

THE EXISTING STRUCTURE OF VERMONT'S COURTS IS FIRST OUTLINED TO DETERMINE WHAT CHANGES MAY BE NECESSARY TO PRODUCE A UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM. A BRIEF HISTORY OF COURT UNIFICATION EFFORTS IN THE UNITED STATES IS PROVIDED, AND PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING VERMONT COURT SYSTEM WHICH CAN BE RECTIFIED THROUGH COURT UNIFICATION ARE EXAMINED. THE PROPOSED JUDICIAL STRUCTURE OF THE UNIFIED SYSTEM IS THEN OUTLINED. THIS PROPOSAL CALLS FOR STATEWIDE UNIFICATION OF THE TRIAL COURT INTO A 'SUPERIOR COURT OF VERMONT' WHICH WOULD HAVE GENERAL JURISDICTION. THE NEW SUPERIOR COURT WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE STATE GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS. THE RECOMMENDED STRUCTURES ARE ANALYZED IN THIS REPORT. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVED COURT FACILITIES AND COURT ADMINISTRATION ARE ALSO PROVIDED. THIS SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO KEEP COURT COSTS CLOSE TO PRESENT LEVELS, IF NOT BELOW THEM. THE FINANCING AND BUDGET OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED, AND METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THE NEW SYSTEM ARE OUTLINED.