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Evaluation of Determining the Need for Circuit Court Judges

NCJ Number
169804
Author(s)
D Bezruki; M Foy; D Herta; J Gumley; K Monroe
Editor(s)
J Thieme
Date Published
1996
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of methods used to determine the workload of Wisconsin circuit court judges and the need for additional positions indicates 233 full-time equivalent circuit court judgeships in 1996 and the need for 256 such judgeships in 1998.
Abstract
Since 1980, the number of circuit court judges has increased by 43 positions (23 percent) in response to judicial workload increases. In considering requests for judicial positions among Wisconsin counties, the Director of State Courts relies on a quantitative measure of judicial workload and a qualitative assessment by the judiciary to determine the need for circuit court judges and to set priorities for position requests among circuits. The methodology for measuring judicial workload is capable of providing objective and comparable information on the need for additional judges, but some improvements are needed: (1) increase the amount of data on event processing times in total and from smaller circuits in particular; (2) provide additional information and training to county clerks of circuit courts on reporting case information; and (3) account for case-specific administrative and legal research activities as part of case weights. The most recent assessment by the Director of State Courts indicates 256 circuit court judge positions are needed and the plan is to submit a new position request during the 1997-1998 legislative session. Appendixes contain a map of administrative districts and number of circuit judge positions and data on estimated judicial need by circuit. 3 tables and 1 figure

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