NCJ Number
97186
Date Published
1984
Length
411 pages
Annotation
This testimony from a July 1983 congressional hearing focuses on a bill to establish a State Justice Institute to provide assistance to the States in the administration of their judicial systems.
Abstract
The State Justice Institute would be a private, nonprofit corporation. It would direct a national program of assistance designed to provide each person ready access to a fair and effective system of justice by providing funds to State courts and other organizations. Coordination and cooperation with the Federal judiciary would be fostered. The institute would make recommendations about the proper allocation of responsibility between the State and Federal court systems. It would also encourage education for judges and support personnel of State court systems. The institute would be headed by a board of directors appointed by the President. Witnesses at the hearing included two justices of State supreme courts and a law professor, all speaking in support of the bill. The Department of Justice opposed the bill, largely on budgetary grounds. Additional written material, all favoring the bill, came from governmental and academic groups related to courts. The text of the State Justice Institute Act of 1983 is included, and appendixes contain additional materials from the Conference of Chief Justices and the U.S. Department of Justice. Also included are articles, speeches, and further legislative materials.