PRODUCTION OF COURT SERVICES - AN ANALYSIS OF SCALE EFFECTS AND OTHER FACTORS

• NCJ Number: 39427
• Journal: Journal of Legal Studies Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1976) Pages: 243-265
• Author(s): R W GILLESPIE
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Chicago
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE FORMULATES AND TESTS A POSITIVE THEORY OF THE PRODUCTION OF COURT SERVICES, FOCUSING ON HOW THESE SERVICES ARE, AND NOT HOW THEY OUGHT TO BE, PRODUCED.

Abstract

A SIMPLE PRODUCTION FUNCTION OF COURT SERVICES WAS FORMUATED. THIS FORMULA WAS THEN APPLIED TO THE 90 FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS OVER THE PERIOD OF 1968-74 TO EXPLAIN DIFFERENCES IN THE AVERAGE OUTPUT OF ALL JUDICIAL SOURCES AVAILABLE TO EACH COURT. SIZE, DEMAND PRESSURE, USE OF TRIALS, CIVIL/CRIMINAL CASE MIX, INDIGENT CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, PLACES OF CONDUCTING COURT HEARINGS, AND MAGISTRATES WERE THEN INTRODUCED AS INDEPENDENT VARIABLES TO EXPLAIN VARIABILITY IN PRODUCTIVITY. THE RESULTS OF STATISTICAL ANALYSES SUPPORTED THE ASSUMPTION THAT UNIFORMITIES OF BEHAVIOR EXISTED AMONG THE DISTRICT COURTS AND WERE SUFFICIENTLY STRONG TO BE IDENTIFIED BY STATISTICAL ANALYSES. RFINEMENTS OF THE PROCESS ARE SUGGESTED....EB