NCJ Number
44545
Date Published
1931
Length
141 pages
Annotation
A 1931 REPORT ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN FEDERAL COURTS THROUGH A SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASE RECORDS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
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