NCJ Number
81828
Journal
Law and Policy Quarterly Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1980) Pages: 221-232
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
An examination is made of the extent to which limited jurisdiction trial court judges make unique contributions to court policies.
Abstract
The methodology and political implications of minor court research differs from those in higher courts. Analysis of variance found that minor court judges in multiple-judge courts differed in the level and uniformity of fines and costs assessed in misdemeanor cases. Binary tests for regression discontinuity found that judges in single-judge courts initiated policy changes upon entering office. Such knowledge of unique judicial contributions would enable citizens and court officials to make informed decisions in judge selections and court reforms. (Author abstract)