NCJ Number
131303
Date Published
1989
Length
100 pages
Annotation
This study of nine courts in California, Colorado, and New Jersey was undertaken to identify procedural factors involved in reducing the length of criminal and civil trials without impairing fairness.
Abstract
Data were obtained from two sources: data recording forms on ongoing trial cases completed by courtroom clerks or trial judges; and mailed questionnaires of judges, civil attorneys, and criminal attorneys. In the trial case sample, cases were selected from a convenience sample of ongoing trials heard during March 1986 to January 1987. For the survey, mailing lists of judges, civil plaintiff attorneys, private criminal defense attorneys, criminal prosecutors, and public defenders were obtained from court administrators. Completed surveys were received from 57 judges, 197 criminal attorneys, and 131 civil attorneys. Statistics provide direct information on the actual amount of time consumed by various trial segments and the perceived length of trial segments as gauged by judges and attorneys. Data are also supplied on the legal community's attitudes toward existing trial length, reasons for trial length, and judicial control over trial length. The trial case file contains information on types of cases and trials, estimated trial length, type of disposition, type of defense attorney, number of claims, cross-claims and counter-claims, number of exhibits introduced, number of expert and lay witnesses called by the defense, number of peremptory challenges, and day and time the trial ended. Questionnaire data contain information on professional experiences, number of cases tried per month, opinions about the time consumed by each trial segment, estimated time used in each segment, and attitudes toward judicial control over trial length.