ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING PERSONNEL UTILIZATION AND PERSONNEL-RELATED CASE PROCESSING PRACTICES IN THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY COURTS, PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA - CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 47819
• Author(s): G B KUBAN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 40 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-013-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University, Washington College of Law
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PERSONNEL-RELATED AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS IN THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLA., COURTS ARE IDENTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS ARE OFFERED.

Abstract

IN 1976, THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF CASE FILINGS IN THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY COURTS WAS 667; IN 1977 (THROUGH OCTOBER), THE AVERAGE WAS 959. THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORT REPORTED WAS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN THAT EXISTING PERSONNEL AND CASE-PROCESSING PRACTICES MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH GROWING CASELOADS. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COURT IS DESCRIBED AND WORKLOAD STATISTICS ARE PRESENTED. PROBLEMS ARE IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED RELATIVE TO STATISTICAL REPORTING, COURT LOCATIONS, SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL, RECORDING OF DOCUMENTS, TRAFFIC CASE PROCESSING, COMPUTER LIAISON, SECRETARIAL ASSISTANCE, STAFFING LEVELS, AND PERSONNEL CLASSIFICATION AND PAY. THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY COURT AND RECORDING SUPERVISOR ACTUALLY FUNCTIONS AS COURT ADMINISTRATOR. SEVERAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUS ON THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE MANAGEMENT ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR AND TO RELY ON AUTOMATED PROCEDURES TO HANDLE GROWING CASELOADS (AS OPPOSED TO HIRING MORE STAFF TO OPERATE EXISTING MANUAL SYSTEMS). IT IS POINTED OUT THAT, BECAUSE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH COMPUTERIZATION, THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY COURTS CAN HAVE THEIR DATA-PROCESSING NEEDS IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED PROMPTLY. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)