CALIFORNIA - GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATION ON THE COURTS

• NCJ Number: 19925
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 190 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: California Judicial Council; Ralph Andersen and Associates
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FINAL REPORT ON A PROJECT DESIGNED TO CONSIDER THE NEED FOR ANALYZING COURT-RELATED LEGISLATION, AND ITS IMPACT ON CALIFORNIA COURTS, BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED.

Abstract

AS A PART OF THIS PROJECT, ALL COURT-RELATED LEGISLATION INTRODUCED DURING THE 1973-74 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS REVIEWED, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF BILLS INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED DURING PAST SESSIONS. THIS REPORT FIRST PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE COURTS AND CLASSIFIES IT ACCORDING TO WHETHER IT AFFECTS THE PROCEDURES, ADMINISTRATION, OR FINANCING OF THE COURTS. A VARIETY OF INDEPENDENT BUT RELATED CONSIDERATIONS ARE THEN REVIEWED WHICH EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ANALYZING COURT-RELATED LEGISLATION BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED. THE ACTIVITIES OF GROUPS WITHIN CALIFORNIA AND ELSEWHERE THAT ANALYZE COURT-RELATED LEGISLATION ARE SUMMARIZED, AND IT IS CONCLUDED THAT NO ONE OTHER THAN THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE TOTAL IMPACT OF LEGISLATION ON THE COURT SYSTEM. A FOUR-STEP APPROACH TO DETERMINING THE TOTAL IMPACT OF LEGISLATION ON THE COURTS IS SUGGESTED. THIS APPROACH INVOLVES READING THE BILL AND OBTAINING INFORMATION FOR A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF ITS PROVISIONS; DETERMINING GENERALLY HOW THE BILL WOULD AFFECT THE COURT; DETERMINING SPECIFICALLY THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE BILL WOULD AFFECT THE PROCEDURES, ADMINISTRATION, AND/OR FINANCING OF THE COURTS; AND PRESENTING THE ANALYSIS OF TOTAL IMPACT IN WRITTEN FORM. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROJECT ARE ALSO OUTLINED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS COPIES OF FOUR JUDICIAL IMPACT REPORTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)