PROPOSALS FOR THE USE OF SCREENING PROCEDURES AND LEGAL ASSISTANTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS

• NCJ Number: 26301
• Author(s): D J MEADOR
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 47 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-043-72
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT PROPOSES THAT THE COURT OF APPEALS MAKE USE OF AN ABBREVIATED DECISIONAL PROCESS FOR ROUTINE CRIMINAL APPEALS AND EMPLOY NINE NEW LEGAL ASSISTANTS TO AID IN THE DECISION PROCESS.

Abstract

THE COURT ACTIVITIES AND EXISTING PROCEDURES ARE OUTLINED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS HAS EXPERIENCED A RAPIDLY INCREASING NUMBER OF CASES, AND THAT CRIMINAL CASES ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE CASES FILED. AS A RESULTS, A CONSIDERABLE BACKLOG OF CASES HAS DEVELOPED. THE REPORT SUGGESTS THAT NINE NEW PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANTS BE EMPLOYED, BUT WARNS THAT THE ADDITION OF PERSONNEL WILL NOT SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECT COURT PRODUCTIVITY WITHOUT SOME ABBREVIATION OF THE TRADITIONAL APPELLATE PROCESS. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS REPORT OUTLINES PROCEDURES FOR SCREENING ROUTINE CRIMINAL APPEALS UTILIZING THE ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL, SUCH THAT A LIMITED NUMBER OF CASES WOULD HAVE TO BE REVIEWED OR SUPERVISED BY THE APPELLATE JUDGES THEMSELVES. PROPOSALS FOR THE EVALUATION OF SUCH A PROGRAM AND A DISCUSSION OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE BAR IN THE APPELLATE PROCESS ARE INCLUDED. ATTACHED ARE A SAMPLE MEMORANDA AND PROPOSED PER CURIAM OPINIONS IN CRIMINAL APPEALS FROM THE CALIFORNIA COURT OF APPEAL AND THE NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION.