NCJ Number
25265
Journal
Criminal Justice Quarterly Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1974) Pages: 58-65
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A GENERAL RATIONALE FOR CONSOLIDATING NEW JERSEY'S 523 MUNICIPAL (INFERIOR) COURTS INTO A SYSTEM OF 21 COURTS OF COUNTY-WIDE JURISDICTION.
Abstract
WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM, 'IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH EVEN THE MOST BASIC RULES AND DIRECTIVES RELATING TO MATTERS OF ADMINISTRATION'. THERE ARE DISPARITIES IN MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES' COMPENSATION RATES AND, ALTHOUGH THEIR APPOINTMENTS ARE POLITICAL, THEY ARE REFRAINED FROM PARTICIPATING IN POLITICS IN ORDER TO ASSURE REAPPOINTMENT, THUS RESULTING IN SOME SURREPTITIOUS POLITICAL ACTIVITY. FURTHERMORE, PART-TIME JUDGES WHO ALSO PRACTICE LAW CAN EASILY COME INTO CONFLICT OF INTEREST SITUATIONS WHEN DEALING WITH LAWYERS WHO PRACTICE BEFORE THEM. OTHER ARGUMENTS INCLUDE THE DESIRABILITY OF JUDGES FIXING BAIL AND SENTENCING DEFENDANTS WITH COUNTY-WIDE AND PREFERABLY STATE-WIDE CONSISTENCY.