NCJ Number
44571
Date Published
1977
Length
265 pages
Annotation
THE OPERATIONS OF THE ALASKAN SUPREME COURT AND TRIAL COURTS ARE REPORTED; A REVIEW OF THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OF 1976 AND A SECTION ON 'BUSH JUSTICE' ARE INCLUDED.
Abstract
THE REPORT IS DIVIDED INTO SIX PARTS WHICH PRESENT A COMPREHENSIVE OUTLINE OF THE ALASKAN COURT SYSTEM. THE FIRST DEALS WITH THE YEAR IN REVIEW AND CONTAINS INFORMATION ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS, FISCAL AFFAIRS, IMPROVEMENTS IN TRIAL COURT OPERATIONS, COURT CASELOADS, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, COURT LIBRARIES, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, PERSONNEL, TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND FUTURE PROGRAMS AND PRIORITIES. ANOTHER IS DEVOTED TO THE STATE'S UNUSUAL SYSTEM OF 'BUSH JUSTICE.' DURING 1976, THE COURT SYSTEM ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT THE PROBLEMS OF PROVIDING JUSTICE SERVICES TO THE MORE REMOTE AREAS OF THE STATE. THIS SECTION PROVIDED A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS A DESCRIPTION OF ALASKA'S MAGISTRATE PROGRAM. SUPREME COURT OPERATING PROCEDURES, APPEALS, PETITIONS FOR REVIEW, SENTENCE APPEALS, MOTIONS, AND CASE AND RULEMAKING ACTIVITY ARE DESCRIBED. THE JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY OF THE SUPERIOR COURTS ARE REVIEWED, AND INFORMATION IS PROVIDED REGARDING FELONIES, CIVIL CASES, AND JUVENILE CONSIDERATIONS. THERE WERE EIGHT COURTS IN THE STATE IN 1976 WITH A PERMANENTLY ASSIGNED SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE; OTHER LOCATIONS WERE VISITED AS JUDGES WERE NEEDED. A SECTION DEALS WITH THE STATE'S 60 DISTRICT COURTS. TWENTY OF THESE HAVE AT LEAST ONE FULL-TIME JUDICIAL OFFICER, WHILE THE REMAINING 'LOW VOLUME' DISTRICT COURTS HAVE A PART-TIME JUDICIAL OFFICER. APPENDIXES DETAIL THE JURISDICTIONS AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION OF THE SUPREME, SUPERIOR, AND DISTRICT COURT SYSTEMS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WORKLOAD DATA. (KBL)