Part one provides a general commentary on 1988 trial and appellate caseloads across the country, identifying trends in felony and tort case filings and in appellate caseloads since 1984. Part two presents a special analysis of how cases were concluded in State trial courts during 1988. Part three contains 16 caseload statistics tables which constitute the main part of the report. Each table compiles information from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Part four summarizes the structure of each State court system in the form of a one-page chart, while part five lists statutes and recordkeeping practices that may affect the comparability of caseload information reported by courts. Appendixes give supplemental information on procedures used to derive caseload statistics. 16 tables, 8 figures.