NCJ Number
153721
Date Published
1994
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This annual report overviews the Arkansas court system and its work during the 1993-1994 fiscal year; the report notes the continuing problems of large caseloads, minimal staff support in some areas, and funding shortages.
Abstract
The nonunified court system of Arkansas consists of three tiers, each of which is distinct in its jurisdiction, processes, and funding. The top tier is comprised of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. The second tier consists of circuit, chancery, and probate courts, while the third tier includes limited jurisdiction courts. Appeals filed in the Supreme Court totaled 567 in 1993-1994, an increase of 10 percent over the previous year. Supreme Court justices averaged 56 majority cases written during the year. The Supreme Court was also very active in dealing with administrative issues. In particular, court committees and general administration were restructured, with all activities consolidated under the Administrative Office of the Courts. Appeals filed in the Court of Appeals totaled 1,091 and appeal terminations totaled 997 in 1993-1994. Both filings and terminations decreased slightly from 1992-1993 levels. Combined filings of criminal, civil, chancery, juvenile, and probate cases in courts of general jurisdiction rose to 170,128, an increase of 5.8 percent over the previous year. Trial courts terminated 157,261 cases in 1993-1994, a slight decrease from 164,533 in 1992-1993. In 1993-1994, 126 municipal courts were served by 112 judges and 126 clerks. The year marked the first decline in municipal court filings since 1987; filings decreased by less than 1 percent to 731,429 cases. Administration of the Arkansas court system is discussed, and the role of the Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts is examined. The STEP (Supervised Treatment and Education Program) Court is described, a court that accepts nonviolent defendants charged with felonies in the earliest stages of the court process and provides an individually designed treatment program lasting at least 1 year. Legislative initiatives for 1995 that affect the Arkansas court system are reviewed. Illustrations and photographs