NCJ Number
52368
Date Published
1978
Length
21 pages
Annotation
CHANGE TECHNIQUES FOR IMPLEMENTING COURT REFORM ARE REVIEWED AND A CHANGE STRATEGY IS OUTLINED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION ARE LISTED FOCUSING ON THE ROLE OF NATIONAL REFORM ORGANIZATIONS.
Abstract
JUDICIAL REFORM IS ACHIEVED THROUGH VARIOUS TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, STATUTORY CHANGES BY LEGISLATIVE ACTION AND EXECUTIVE APPROVAL, COURT RULES CHANGE BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, FINANCIAL-INCENTIVE-INDUCED CHANGE (SUCH AS SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT USING LEAA GRANTS), AND PERSUASION AND EDUCATION OF JUDGES, COURT PERSONNEL, AND THE PUBLIC. POLITICAL AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS ALSO PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN THE SELECTION OF TECHNIQUES FOR CHANGE. THE IMPACT OF THE JUDICIARY, THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE MEDIA, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ON THE CHANGE ENVIRONMENT ARE EXAMINED AND A GENERALIZED CHANGE STRATEGY IS OUTLINED. SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR IMPLEMENTING COURT IMPROVEMENTS: (1) MAJOR STUDIES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN THE STATES TO REVEAL THE DIFFERENCES IN IMPLEMENTATON STRATEGIES THAT ARE DICTATED BY STATE DIFFERENCES; (2) APPROPRIATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM DATA SHOULD BE GATHERED, ANALYZED, AND EMPIRICALY STUDIED BEFORE REFORMS ARE RECOMMENDED; (3) NATIONAL REFORM ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD IDENTIFY AND MAINTAIN A ROSTER OF SUCCESSFUL REFORMS AND REFORM STUDIES AND ENCOURAGE STRONG LINKS AMONG STATE ACTIVISTS; (4) 'JUDICIAL IMPACT STATEMENTS' SHOULD ACCOMPANY PROPOSED STATE POLICIES; (5) JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND COURT CLERKS INTERESTED IN REFORM SHOULD VOLUNTARILY EXPERIMENT WITH CHANGE; (6) PERSONS INVOLVED IN REFORM SHOULD RECEIVE POLITICAL TRAINING; (7) PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON REFORMS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED; AND (8) NATIONAL COURT REFORM ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD RECRUIT TEAMS TO VISIT STATES AND AID IN ASSESSING AND IMPLEMENTING REFORM MEASURES. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)