NCJ Number
77295
Date Published
1981
Length
237 pages
Annotation
This paper explores the process of onbench socialization among Florida trial judges and describes the context within which this onbench learning occurs and activities of judicial socialization stages.
Abstract
Interviews and surveys were used to collect data for the study. The research's major concern is how judges behave within the organizational context and how the organization, in turn, influences what they learn. Studies of organizational socialization are summarized to provide a basis for the judicial model of socialization. Five stages of socialization are identified for trial judges: professional socialization (a prebench stage), initiation, resolution, establishment, and commitment (onbench stages). The process of judicial socialization is shaped by the external environment, the court organization, and the individual judge. Basically, trial judges learn how to cope with judging in three areas: legal, administrative, and personal. Most learning occurs in the first 5 years of tenure, mainly by self-education. When judges first reach the bench, they are enthusiastic about the possibilities of judging, highly committed to the trial bench, and anxious to conform to judicial norms. During middle stages of socialization, some of this enthusiasm wanes and commitment declines as judges encounter problems of trial judging. Adherence to judicial norms increases by the final socialization stage, commitment rises, and judges are once again closely identified with and highly satisfied with trial judging. In addition, the model proposes linkages among the key variables affecting activity on the bench. Tables, figures, footnotes, and approximately 90 references are provided. Research instruments are appended.