NCJ Number
113740
Date Published
1987
Length
44 pages
Annotation
Based on their experiences working for the Federal Judicial Center (FJC), social scientists and administrators provide a perspective on the provision of research information to the Federal district courts and courts of appeal.
Abstract
Created in 1967, the FJC is an extension of the concept of court administrative offices. It contains five divisions: continuing education and training, special educational services, innovations and systems development, interjudicial affairs, and research. The bulk of the educational budget is allocated to national and regional seminars for judges and adjunct judicial officers. The FJC also has a large media library of lectures of FJC programs, publishes educational monographs, and provides tuition grants. The curricula of FJC programs are rarely based in the social sciences as a result of an emphasis on mastering the law, time constraints, perceptions of the judicial role, and skepticism regarding social science's potential contribution. However, some programs have covered such topics as use of statistical and economic data in expert testimony and the contributions of psychiatric, emotional, sociological, and physiological factors to crime and their bearing on sentencing decisions. The FJC also conducts research to aid policy decisions affecting court rules and administration. Research is usually at the request of the Judicial Conference or individual courts or judges. Major goals focus on description and analysis, systems development, and outcome and impact evaluation. Two such studies have examined the quality of trial advocacy and the accuracy of court reporting methods. Advantages and disadvantages of working within the system are noted. 34 references.