NCJ Number
81229
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Accomplishments of and problems faced by the Alaska court system are discussed.
Abstract
The demand on the State supreme court's judicial resources have reached a point where, without modification of existing appellate structures and a revamping of relevant procedures, the quality of justice may be impaired due to insufficient time to devote to certain cases and prolonged delays. The Alaska court system faces 1 appeal for every 933 citizens, or three times more appeals than the national average. To remedy this situation, legislation is recommended that would provide the supreme court with the discretionary power to hear any appeal for the court of appeals. It calls for the creation of a three-judge intermediate appellate court that should result in the quickening of the resolution of criminal appeals and will relieve both the superior court and the supreme court of portions of their caseloads. Over 115,000 cases were filed in the district court in 1978, an increase of 4 percent over 1977. One additional district court judge is needed for Anchorage in order to speed pending civil litigation. Additional judgeships are recommended. Pay increases of 8 percent for judges and cost-of-living increases recommended are appropriate in view of recent conditions. The supreme court has requested that all sentences imposed both at the superior court and district court levels be monitored for racial bias. Appropriate sentencing criteria is being formulated and a Sentencing Guidelines Committee has been established. Other steps taken by the Alaska court system to prevent racial bias are outlined. No references are cited.