NCJ Number
44079
Date Published
1977
Length
143 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT REVIEWS THE EXTENT TO WHICH RECOMMENDATIONS IN A 1975 REPORT ON LEAA SUPPORT OF STATE COURTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WHICH OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.
Abstract
THE STUDY TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ORIGINAL 'REPORT OF THE SPECIAL STUDY TEAM ON LEAA SUPPORT OF THE STATE COURTS' WAS RECONVENED IN 1977 TO ASSESS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS RESULTING FROM NEW LEAA LEGISLATION PERMITTING STATE COURT SYSTEMS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PLANNING CAPACITY WITH DIRECT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. THIS UPDATE FINDS THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION, THAT JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE BE MAINTAINED, HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY ACHIEVED. FUND ALLOCATION IS GENERALLY DETERMINED BY A JUDICIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE STATE. THE ONE REMAINING THREAT IS THAT THE STATE PLANNING AGENCY MAY STILL DECIDE TO FUND A COURT-RELATED PROJECT THAT THIS PLANNING COMMITTEE HAS NOT APPROVED. THESE COMMITTEES ARE ALSO MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD FULFILLING THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION, ESTABLISHMENT OF SYSTEMWIDE JUDICIAL PLANNING. HOWEVER, THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION, THAT THE COURTS OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE SHARE OF TOTAL FEDERAL MONEY AVAILABLE, IS NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED. NATIONALLY, ONLY $50,000 HAS GONE TO THE COURTS, AND EVEN THIS AMOUNT IS THREATENED BY CHANGES IN REVENUE SHARING BEING CONSIDERED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE FOURTH RECOMMENDATION, THAT GREATER COOPERATION BE FOSTERED BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY AND OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, IS BEING IMPLEMENTED AT THE STATE BUT NOT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THIS IS A RESULT OF LIMITED COURT STAFF. IT IS HOPED THAT GREATER RESOURCES WILL ENABLE COURTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SYSTEMWIDE PLANNING MEETINGS AND COOPERATE IN TRAINING VENTURES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. LEGISLATION REQUIRING JUDICIAL PERSONNEL ON ALL STATE PLANNING AGENCIES IS CONSIDERED HIGHLY BENEFICIAL. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED.