NCJ Number
10936
Date Published
1973
Length
417 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JUDICIAL REFORM, FOCUSING ON COURT AVAILABILITY, STRUCTURE AND JURISDICTION, ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT, SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL LAW, AND JUDGES.
Abstract
THIS REPORT EMBODIES THE FINDINGS OF AN 18 MONTH STUDY OF THE WISCONSIN JUDICIAL SYSTEM. IN IDENTIFYING THOSE FACTORS WHICH PRESENTLY IMPAIR ACCESS TO THE COURTS, THE COMMITTEE SUGGESTS STATE LEGAL SERVICE CORPORATION DESIGNED TO OFFER CRIMINAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE, PROPOSES COUNSEL AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE STATE, AND OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING COURT COSTS. THE COMMITTEE EXAMINES THE PROBLEMS OF ETHNIC AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND THE PHYSICAL INCONVENIENCE OF COURT FACILITIES. ON THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL, THE COMMITTEE PROPOSES A DESIGN FOR THE DISPOSITION OF ORDINANCE FORFEITURES, THE BULK OF WHICH ARE MINOR PARKING AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR TRIAL AND APPELLATE COURT STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL DESCRIBES A SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION, FINANCING, AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO THE WISCONSIN COURTS. THESE CHAPTERS ENCOMPASS THE ISSUES OF PERSONNEL, BUDGETING, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT. THERE ARE PROPOSALS CONCERNING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES, PETIT AND GRAND JURIES, AND JUVENILE LAW. THE REPORT DESCRIBES A DESIGN FOR JUDICIAL SELECTION, TENURE, EVALUATION, AND DISCIPLINE. JUDICING EDUCATION, TRAINING AND COMPENSATION, ARE DISCUSSED. APPENDED MATERIAL PERTAINS TO THE COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND HEARINGS, AND INCLUDES A CODE OF JUDICIAL ETHICS AND THE UNIFORM JURY SELECTION AND SERVICE ACT.