NCJ Number
58326
Date Published
1977
Length
66 pages
Annotation
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEBRASKA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, BASED UPON FINDINGS OF VOLUMES I AND II, REGARDING COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PRESENTED, INCLUDING JUDICIAL POLICY AND COURT ADMINISTRATION.
Abstract
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED UPON ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN VOLUME I (THE NEBRASKA COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE), AND EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES CONTAINED IN VOLUME II (THE CONCEPT PAPERS). BAR RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM LEAA. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DIVIDED INTO FIVE SUBSTANTIVE AREAS INCLUDING JUDICIAL POLICY, COURT ADMINSTRATION, COURT ORGANIZATION, THE JUDICIARY, AND STATE COURT FINANCING. FIRST, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A PERMANENT POLICY COMMITTEE BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE POLICY ADVISORY ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT IN DELIBERATIONS CONCERNING THE PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURT SYSTEM. SECOND, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE NUMBER OF PROBATION OFFICERS BE INCREASED STATEWIDE. THIRD, STATUTORY AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PERMIT COUNTY COURT JUDGES TO APPOINT COUNSEL TO REPRESENT INDIGENT FELONY DEFENDANTS. FOURTH, THE STATE SUPREME COURT SHOULD ISSUE UNSIGNED PER CURIUM OPINIONS WHEN THE OPINION OF THE COURT IS UNANIMOUS AND THE DECISION DOES NOT INVOLVE MORE THAN A RE-APPLICATION OF ESTABLISHED LAW. FIFTH, LB 408 GIVING THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS CENSURE AND SUSPENSION POWERS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED. AMENDMENTS TO OR REVISIONS OF EXISTING LAWS, PARTICULARLY THOSE AFFECTING THE JUDICIARY, ARE PRESENTED, AS ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (LWM)