NCJ Number
183817
Date Published
2000
Length
12 pages
Annotation
After presenting a "Farewell to Retiring Justices," this year 2000 report on Utah State courts discusses fairness in the criminal justice system, citizens' access to the courts, "partnering to improve services," court work on behalf of families and children, nontraditional approaches to dispute resolution, and caseload highlights for the State courts.
Abstract
Regarding fairness in the criminal justice system, this report focuses on addressing racial and ethnic issues, primarily through the Utah Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Legal System, which was established by the Utah Judicial Council in 1997. Activities pertinent to citizens' access to justice include the continued operation of the Court Information Line, a toll-free service that provides answers to court-related questions during regular court hours, the expansion of an automated information line piloted in one district in 1998, and the expansion of the courts' web site (http://courtlink.utcourts.gov). Also discussed with reference to access to justice are efforts to improve the quality of interpreters for all linguistic minorities. Information on "partnering to improve services" encompasses pro se litigants, a truancy mediation program, a mentoring program, and trained community volunteers to act as Court Appointed Special Advocates to speak for abused and neglected children. Also described in this section are cooperative services offered by courts and community agencies. Court activities pertinent to families and children focus on family law initiatives, and a description of nontraditional approaches addresses drug courts and tobacco courts. The caseload summary for each State court covers fiscal year 1999.