NCJ Number
136559
Date Published
1991
Length
47 pages
Annotation
The 18th annual report for fiscal year 1991 operation of Georgia courts covers major activities and accomplishments of the court system, judicial agencies, and judicial personnel changes.
Abstract
Georgia's judiciary undertook new challenges during the year in question, such as making the court system more efficient with the use of computer technology, investigating alternative dispute resolution, and improving the availability of defense services for the indigent. A group of judges, court officials, lawmakers, and lay citizens initiated a 2-year educational project to empower court officials to plan for the future of Georgia courts. The Georgia Courts Automation Commission became a permanent body and assumed responsibility for automating the transfer of data and encouraging more efficient use of justice information. During fiscal year 1991, Georgia courts faced rising caseloads. Total filings in superior courts rose by 9 percent from 1989 to 1990. Probation revocations had the sharpest increase of 28 percent from 1989 to 1990. Misdemeanors and domestic relations cases both grew at a rate of 10 percent. The increase in felony cases slowed from 18.5 percent in 1989 to 4 percent in 1990. General civil cases had a similar growth rate of 4 percent. The increase in jury trials also slowed somewhat to 2 percent from 1989 to 1990. Despite the tempering of rate increases in certain categories, average filings per superior court judge increased by 6 percent from 1989 to 1990. This increase, however, was due in part to judicial positions already approved for superior courts, but unfilled due to pending voting rights litigation. Tables and figures