NCJ Number
52145
Date Published
1978
Length
185 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS PERTINENT TO THE PROCESSING OF MISDEMEANOR, FELONY, AND CIVIL CASES THROUGH THE TRIAL COURTS IN ANCHORAGE, ALA., ARE DELINEATED.
Abstract
IN 1976, THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALASKA COURT SYSTEM CONTRACTED WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS TO ANALYZE CLERICAL OPERATIONS AND CASE PROCESSING IN ANCHORAGE TRIAL COURTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE ANALYSIS WAS TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATIVE, UNNECESSARY, OR INEFFICIENT PROCEDURES AND THEREBY IMPROVE COURT OPERATIONS. CALENDAR PRACTICES WERE ASSESSED THROUGH A REVIEW OF CALENDARING PROCEDURES AND INTERVIEWS WITH THE AREA COURT ADMINISTRATOR, HIS ASSISTANT, AND COURT PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE CALENDAR PROCESS. ANNUAL STATISTICS MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE OF TECHNICAL OPERATIONS WERE ANALYZED, AND SAMPLES OF DISPOSED CASES WERE DRAWN TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CALENDAR PROCESS. CLERICAL PROCEDURES WERE EXAMINED IN TWO STEPS. FIRST, A DESK AUDIT WAS CONDUCTED FOR EACH CLERK IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. SECOND, PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING CASES WERE FOLLOWED AND DOCUMENTED. STAFFING LEVELS WERE CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO COMPARATIVE STATISTICS FOR OTHER JURISDICTIONS (WASHINGTON AND CALIFORNIA). RECOMMENDED CHANGES IN CASE PROCESSING FOR MISDEMEANORS, FELONIES, AND CIVIL (SUPERIOR AND DISTRICT COURT LEVEL) CASES ARE DISCUSSED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MISDEMEANORS AND DESK AUDITS AND CLERICAL PROCEDURES IS APPENDED. (DEP)