NCJ Number
183818
Date Published
2000
Length
148 pages
Annotation
This report of the Massachusetts court system for fiscal year 1999 (July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999) encompasses the work of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, and the Trial Court; a five-year summary of cases entered in Massachusetts courts and abuse prevention petitions under G.L.c.209A are also presented.
Abstract
An organizational chart of the Massachusetts court system is followed by the text of Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall's keynote address at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Bar Association. After describing the appellate work of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), this report presents data on the caseloads of the Court for fiscal years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Following an overview of the administrative activities of the SJC, recommendations are presented for an Appeals Court expansion and the SJC excellence requirements. The report of the Appeals Court encompasses caseload data, five-year trends in filings, and initiatives in the areas of Department of Social Services cases, extension of time for filing briefs, the conference program, sessions in other locations, and technology. The report of the Trial Court includes a description of the activities of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court and reports of the various Trial Court departments (Boston Municipal Court, District Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, Land Court, Probate and Family Court, Superior Court, Office of the Commissioner of Probation, and Office of the Jury Commissioner). The appendix contains a list of all rules changes approved by the SJC from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999.