NCJ Number
59955
Date Published
1979
Length
356 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF ALL LEVELS OF THE JUDICIARY IN THE STATE OF ALASKA DURING CALENDAR 1978 ARE PRESENTED; BOTH NARRATIVE AND STATISTICS ARE INCLUDED.
Abstract
THIS REPORT EXPLAINS THE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE STATE COURT SYSTEM, THE PROBLEMS FACING THE VARIOUS COURTS, IMPROVEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE SYSTEM, AND OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN TO THE JUDICIARY. THE ALASKA JUDICIARY IS A UNIFIED, CENTRALLY-ADMINISTERED SYSTEM COMPRISED OF A SUPREME COURT AND A TWO-TIERED TRIAL COURT. THE SYSTEM IS 100 PERCENT STATE-FUNDED. THE SUPREME COURT IS THE APPELLATE COURT OF THE STATE, WITH FINAL JURISDICTION IN ALL CASES WITHIN THE SYSTEM. IT ALSO HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTRATION. WHILE THE SUPREME COURT MAINTAINS ULTIMATE CONTROL OVER ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, MOST ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ARE DELEGATED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR AND HIS STAFF. THE TRIAL COURTS INCLUDE A SUPERIOR AND DISTRICT COURT. IN 1978, ALASKA SUPREME COURT FILINGS TOTALED 630, ALMOST DOUBLE THE FILINGS OF 1975. FILINGS IN THE SUPERIOR COURTS TOTALED 13,856, AND THOSE IN THE DISTRICT COURTS 115,403. CURRENTLY, THE ALASKA COURT SYSTEM OPERATING BUDGET ACCOUNTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.3 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL STATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. EXTENSIVE TABULAR DATA, FOOTNOTES, GRAPHS, AND A GLOSSARY ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)