NCJ Number
148343
Date Published
1994
Length
320 pages
Annotation
This report provides complete, up-to-date information on State court caseloads and how they compare across the States.
Abstract
Statistics profile caseloads in individual State trial and appellate court systems and provide information on the similarities and differences in caseload levels, composition, and trends across the States. Part I examines State trial caseloads in 1992 and compares them with recent years. Part II describes the volume and trends in State appellate court caseloads, and Part III contains the detailed caseload statistics. Part IV displays the overall structure of each State court system on a one-page chart. Part V lists jurisdiction and State court reporting practices that might affect the comparability of caseload information reported by the courts. An appendix describes why caseload statistics are useful and provides examples of how caseload statistics should be used to solve problems. Three main themes emerge from the data. First, the increases in caseload volume for 1992 are part of a continuing upward trend. Based on past trends, many trial and appellate courts are likely to see their caseloads double before the end of the decade. Second, the greatest increase during the past 5 years has been in the criminal arena. Third, many courts are having difficulty keeping up with the growing volume of cases. They dispose of fewer cases than they take in each year, thereby adding to the size of their pending caseloads. 16 tables and 8 figures