IMPACT OF DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES ON THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT - ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• NCJ Number: 42825
• Author(s): S CONTI; D KEGELMAN; D MEAGHER; J OESTEREICH; C SACKETT
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 90 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for State Courts
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH CHANGES IN POLICY PROCEDURES, AND RULES, AS WELL AS THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ACTION ARE DISCUSSE IN THE AREAS OF JURISDICTION, CASELOAD AND DELAY, JUDICIA PERSONNEL, COURT FINANCE, AND COURT DIGNITY

Abstract

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES BE ASSIGNED ON A ROTATING BASIS, FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR MONTHS, TO HEAR ONLY DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES IN THE COUNTY. IN THE INTERESTS OF HAVING QUALIFIED BAR PERSONNEL AS MASTERS, IT IS URGED THAT CLERKS BE PRECLUDED FROM HEARING CASES AS MASTERS. AN IMMEDIATE STUDY OF ALL COURT FINANCES IS CONSIDERED IMPERATIVE. TO INSURE DIGNITY AND THOROUGHNESS OF PROCEEDINGS, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CASES BE HEARD EITHER IN CHAMBERS OR IN OPEN COURT. PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION INCLUDE EMPOWERING COMMISSIONERS, APPOINTED BY AND UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE COURT, TO HEAR AND DISPOSE OF DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES WITH FULL AUTHORITY AS THOUGH THE COMMISSIONERS WERE MEMBERS OF THE SUPERIOR COURT. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT LEGISLATION INCREASING DOMESTIC RELATIONS FILING FEES BE PROVIDED TO OFFSET INCREASING COSTS RESULTING FROM APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS...RCB