APPELLATE PROCESS AND STAFF RESEARCH ATTORNEYS IN THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE NEW JERSEY SUPERIOR COURT - A REPORT OF THE APPELLATE JUSTICE PROJECT OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS, 1972-1973

• NCJ Number: 25617
• Author(s): T J FARER; C M JACOB
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 105 pages
• Grant Number(s): 72-DF-99-0034
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for State Courts
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REPORT OF AN LEAA-SUPPORTED PROJECT TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND EXPEDITE CRIMINAL APPEALS IN THE NEW JERSEY COURTS.

Abstract

THE PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN TO KEEP THE CASE BACKLOG OF THE STATE APPELLATE COURTS AT A MANAGEABLE LEVEL. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE PROJECT GOALS, CENTRAL STAFF ATTORNEYS WERE APPOINTED TO RESEARCH INDIVIDUAL CASES AND RELEVANT POINTS OF LAW. THEIR DUTIES ALSO INCLUDED SCREENING CASES TO DETERMINE THE VALIDITY OF ISSUES RAISED AND ASSIGNING A PRIORITY TO THEM AS WELL AS DRAFTING A PROPOSED PER CURIAM OPINION. THE EVALUATION METHODOLOGY EMPLOYED INCLUDED COMPARING THE NUMBER OF OPINIONS PREPARED BY CENTRAL STAFF ATTORNEYS WITH THE NUMBER ACCEPTED, MODIFIED OR REJECTED BY THE COURTS. THE RESULTS REVEALED THAT OF 304 DECISIONS RENDERED BY THE COURTS IN CASES INVOLVING STAFF PREPARED MEMORANDA, 277 PRODUCED THE SAME RESULTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE STAFF.