NCJ Number
70129
Date Published
1979
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This second volume of a six-volume study of the Mississippi court system proposes a magistrate system to replace the current justice courts system.
Abstract
The introductory section is followed by a consideration of operational factors pertinent to organizational change: organization, qualifications, jurisdiction, facilities and equipment, and caseload/workload. The next section details projections for staffing and costs of a magistrates dividion of the circuit court. The Concluding section summarizes the report's recommendations. The approach proposed essentially involves consolidation of trial court functions. The objective of consolidation is to provide a system in which the courts are organized and managed under a uniform administration of justice throughout a jurisdiction. Consolidation tends to promote more efficient use of personnel and facilities. Particular issues considered are judge qualifications, salary versus fee compensation, blending of prosecutorial and judicial roles, and operational factors. A brief chronology of lower court reform in other States is appended. Tabular data, figures, and footnotes are provided. For related volumes, see NCJ 70127-28 and 70130-34.