NCJ Number
133173
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1991) Pages: 50-55
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A trained and effective court administrator can greatly assist any rural court and can strengthen the position of the judicial branch in the community, release the judge from the need to handle administrative details routinely, and improve the service the court provides to the taxpayers and local attorneys.
Abstract
Rural courts are run by a few generalists with the clerk often the only permanent employee. Procedural tasks in courts are becoming increasingly complex, and caseloads are increasing. Without an administrator, the judge must handle many routine management duties and decisions. Many rural court clerks are acquiring the education and skills to increase their management expertise. In other jurisdictions, professional court managers are hired to handle the management of one or several courts. An administrator assists with the processes of organizing, managing, planning, supervising, monitoring, advocating, researching, negotiating, problemsolving, and interpreting. The administrator handles only the court work delegated by the judge and thus does not deliberately usurp judicial administrative power and authority. An effective administrator can also ensure that the judicial branch obtains its share of resources and increases the court's ability to respond quickly and skillfully to increasingly complex expectations from the community. Notes