NCJ Number
178074
Date Published
1999
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This process evaluation examines the goals and implementation of the Delaware Superior Court's case manager program, which was intended to increase judge's trial time, thus increasing the Court's capacity to dispose cases and reduce delay.
Abstract
A Bureau of Justice Assistance grant provided funding to employ five criminal case managers to assist in managing aspects of the criminal case process. The case managers were also to provide administrative and technical support to the three commissioners, so the commissioners could assume additional courtroom work. In turn, assistance to the commissioners would increase the amount of time available for the judges. This process evaluation considered the perceived program objectives, how the program has been implemented, how implementation compares to expectations, and participants' perceptions of the program. The evaluation findings show that the case manager program has improved the Superior Court and the criminal justice process in general; it has increased efficiency, helped judges to be more informed, and increased productivity and accountability. Weaknesses found were not with the process but with two related issues: increasing expectations and variance in case manager responsibilities by location. Participants want to expand the criminal case managers to other areas of criminal case processing. The judicial staff recommended hiring more case managers. 9 tables and appended interview guides