NCJ Number
102859
Date Published
1985
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This discussion paper identifies a number of key directions and issues that require consideration to ensure that regionalization of the Victoria court system (Australia) achieves desired goals with respect to the support services it provides.
Abstract
This will require the identification of the functions of the courts and the services they need to provide, as well as support for the notion of a broadly based system of justice around which services will be organized. In addition, there is a need for closer integration of the justice system with other services provided by other agencies and government departments at the community level. Finally, recognition is needed that a court appearance should be the point of last resort in most instances. Key issues which must be addressed relate to ensuring a comprehensive, accessible, and integrated range of court and community services that are both administratively and cost efficient. Regionalization of court administration has the potential to provide some answers to problems of service delivery. However, regionalization needs to be assessed against identified standards of service delivery, and policy and operationalization issues need to be addressed as part of the total regionalization package. A list of court and community groups interviewed is appended.