NCJ Number
79934
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
The opening remarks by U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell at the conference held by the National Center of State Courts cover the Federal role in improving the State court system.
Abstract
The national conference was held to dedicate the new center and to examine the issues that will confront State courts in the future. Bell welcomed over 350 participants to the conference and discussed the problems of the State and Federal court systems. He noted that there can be no equal justice under the law unless all people have access to justice. Courts must settle disputes in ways that are convenient, effective, prompt, and available at the reasonable cost. It does not matter how fair laws are if access to their enforcement is denied or unavailable. State and Federal courts share common problems: rising litigation costs, delay, congestion, and insufficient personnel. The role of the Federal Government in improving the court system is to exercise leadership in developing policy and to act as a catalyst for innovation, change, and improvement. Government can also help by providing Federal funds to help support State court programs. The reorganization of LEAA into a more effective agent for change in the court system is also being undertaken through the establishment of a national statistical agency to gather and analyze court data. The National Institute of Justice is also carrying out research in civil and criminal justice matters. Overall, the Federal Government has a significant role in the courts' 'blueprint for the future.'