NCJ Number
76903
Date Published
Unknown
Length
92 pages
Annotation
Activities of the courts of the State of Hawaii from July 1, 1979, through June 30, 1980, are presented in narrative and tabular statistical form; support service accomplishments are highlighted.
Abstract
The fiscal year was one of many improvements in the Hawaii judiciary, some the result of changes stemming from the 1978 constitutional convention. Most of the 16 vacancies on the bench were filled by the end of the year through the efforts of the judicial selection commission. In addition, the new intermediate court of appeals began operating in April 1980, and its work has already significantly reduced the backlog of appellate cases. The total caseload for the courts of appeals was 2,015, with 950 pending at yearend; comparable figures for the supreme court were 1,213 and 709, respectively. The intermediate court of appeals terminated 42 cases during its initial months of operation. With regard to circuit court activities, the number of cases filed in the family court of the third circuit increased by 17.3 percent from the previous year. Cases filed in the third circuit's district court increased 72.3 percent. Traffic violations filed in this circuit more than doubled, from 14,995 in the previous year to 30,293 during this report period. Support services for the judicial system include budgeting activities, personnel recruitment and training, research, computer systems operations, statistical analysis, and the volunteer program. In addition, a citizen volunteer program in the first circuit strives to facilitate and promote citizen involvement in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Photographs, diagrams, and extensive tables are provided.