NCJ Number
58868
Date Published
1978
Length
45 pages
Annotation
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE NORTH DAKOTA JUDICIAL SYSTEM FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1978, IS PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT.
Abstract
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 27-15-07 OF THE NORTH DAKOTA CENTURY CODE, THIS REPORT WAS COMPILED TO SERVE AS A REFERENCE SOURCE FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. SEVERAL OF THE CATEGORIES FOR WHICH SUCH DATA WAS COLLECTED INCLUDE: THE NORTH DAKOTA UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE SUPREME COURT, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, DISTRICT COURTS, COUNTY COURTS WITH INCREASED JURISDICTION, MUNICIPAL COURTS, JUDICIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES, AND THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL. MANY SIGNIFICANT FACTS WERE NOTED AS A RESULT OF ANALYSIS OF THE DATA COLLECTED. FIRST, A RECORDBREAKING 289 CASES WERE FILED OR COMPLETED IN 1978 BY THE SUPREME COURT. SECOND, JUDICIAL TRAINING PROGRAMS WERE CONDUCTED FOR ALL LEVELS OF THE JUDICIARY, INCLUDING SEMINARS FOR CLERKS OF THE COURT, JUVENILE COURT PERSONNEL, COURT REPORTERS, AND LAW CLERKS. THIRD, THE NUMBER OF CASES FILED AND DISPOSED OF IN THE DISTRICT COURTS IN THE STATE CONTINUED TO INCREASE; THIS MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCREASED GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY OR TO THE THEORY THAT AS SOCIETY BECOMES MORE IMPERSONAL, THERE IS A GREATER INCLINATION TO USE THE COURTS TO RESOLVE DISPUTES. FOURTH, IN CRIMINAL CASES, THE MAJORITY OF DEFENDANTS ENTER THE DISTRICT COURTS FOLLOWING THE FILING OF CRIMINAL INFORMATION WITH THE STATE'S ATTORNEY. THE PRELIMINARY HEARING IS CONDUCTED BY A COUNTY JUSTICE OR COUNTY JUDGE WITH INCREASED JURISDICTION; GRAND JURIES ARE USED ONLY IN RARE INSTANCES. FINALLY, THE BULK OF JUVENILE COURT CASES CONTINUE TO BE HANDLED INFORMALLY--83 PERCENT FOR 1978. PHOTOGRAPHS, STATISTICAL DATA, DIAGRAMS, AND CHARTS ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT TEXT. (LWM)