NCJ Number
32958
Journal
Judicature Volume: 59 Issue: 8 Dated: (MARCH 1976) Pages: 372-378
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
CONSIDERATION OF THE CHALLENGES TO JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE POSED BY AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING AND HOW THE JUDICIARY HAS RESPONDED TO THEM.
Abstract
THE PROBLEMS OF JUDICIAL DEPENDENCE ON THE LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIARY BRANCHES FOR FUNDING OF DATA PROCESSING FACILITIES ARE DISCUSSED. THE THREAT THAT INFORMATION SHARING COULD BRING ABOUT POLITICAL PRESSURE TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT OBJECTIVES BASED ON INDIVIDUAL SENTENCING PATTERNS OF INDIVIDUAL JUDGES. SAFEGUARDS ARE SUGGESTED FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF INFORMATION FROM TRIAL COURTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS SUCH AS COMPUTERIZED CRIMINAL HISTORIES (CCH) AND THE OFFENDER-BASED TRANSACTION STATISTICS (OBTS) SYSTEMS.