NCJ Number
84771
Editor(s)
P L Dubois
Date Published
1982
Length
180 pages
Annotation
This book presents 12 selections from authorities in the field of court reform, focusing on the history, politics, implementation, and current trends of policies designed to improve American judicial administration.
Abstract
Selections address five major interrelated issues. They indicate the major kinds of Federal and State judicial reform policies that have been proposed and implemented within the past 20 years. Alternative normative and historical perspectives concerning the enactment and subsequent impact of those reforms are presented. In addition, some chapters provide analysis of the political processes of judicial reform, particularly the clash of group interests that emerge to contest various kinds of reform proposals. Problems inherent in the implementation of court reform, including limitations imposed by political and economic forces external to the judicial system and barriers erected by judges and lawyers, are identified. Finally, the work introduces political perspectives on new areas of judicial reform currently commanding the attention of academics and practitioners. Most chapters have notes, all have references, and an index is included. For individual papers, see NCJ 84772-84780. (Author summary modified)