NCJ Number
56062
Date Published
1978
Length
36 pages
Annotation
SUMMARIES OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL STATE COURT PROJECTS ARE GIVEN ALONG WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SERVICES, BUDGETS, AND COURT ORGANIZATION. THE MAJOR NATIONAL PROJECT WAS A NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF THE PUBLIC'S VIEW OF THE COURTS.
Abstract
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT THE PUBLIC HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE COURTS, BUT WERE DISAPPOINATED IN THE SERVICE RECEIVED. THE SURVEY SERVED AS THE BASIS OF A CONFERENCE WHICH DEVELOPED A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE. THIS BLUEPRINT INCLUDES GREATER EDUCATION ABOUT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, IMPROVED ACCESS TO THE COURTS, DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC. DETAILS OF THE SURVEY, THE CONFERENCE, AND THE BLUEPRINT ARE GIVEN. OTHER NATIONAL PROJECTS REVIEWED ARE A PROJECT TO REDUCE TRIAL COURT DELAY, A SURVEY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEARNING DISABILITIES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION PROJECT, THE APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE COURT PROCEDURES, AN APPELLATE JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AN EVALUATION OF SMALL CLAIMS COURT, A JUVENILE COURT-CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT PROJECT, A STATE JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROJECT, STATISTICS, IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS, AND AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROJECT. REGIONAL PROJECTS DESCRIBED INCLUDE COURT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE AREAS OF PLANNING AND INFORMATION HANDLING, BENCHBOOKS AND MANUALS, A LAY JUDGES PLANNING STUDY, JUVENILE COURT STUDIES, AND A NATIONAL STUDY OF SENTENCING GUIDELINES. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROPOSED BUDGETS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (GLR)