A SUMMARY OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE STATE COURTS DURING CALENDAR YEAR 1976 AND OF SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS DURING 1977, PARTICULARY THE COURT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1977, IS PRESENTED. THE REORGANIZATION ACT ESTABLISHES THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION IN MINNESOTA. THE LEGISLATION RECOGNIZES THAT: (1) ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY MUST BE FIXED IN CERTAIN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUALS OR AGENCIES WHO SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE; AND (2) MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY MUST BE SHARED BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS. THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR HAVE HAD THEIR AUTHORITY EXTENDED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME A STRONG LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE COMPOSED OF CHIEF AND ASSISTANT CHIEF JUDGES AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS HAS BEEN CREATED. ALL JUDGES OF A JUDICIAL DISTRICT ARE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION OF A CHIEF JUDGE AND ASSISTANT CHIEF JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT. IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT MAY ASSIGN ANY JUDGE TO SERVE ON ANY COURT, REGARDLESS OF DISTRICT, TO HELP BALANCE CASELOADS. HOWEVER, A JUDGE MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED TO SERVE IN A COURT MORE THAN 50 MILES FROM THE BOUNDARY OF HIS DISTRICT FOR MORE THAN 15 WORKING DAYS IN ANY 12-MONTH PERIOD WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. TO FURTHER IMPROVE COURT MANAGEMENT, A WEIGHTED CASELOAD STUDY AND A COURT RECORDS MANAGEMENT STUDY ARE BEING CONDUCTED. PERSONNEL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS ARE BEING STUDIED FOR ALL TRIAL COURTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. DURING 1976, THREE ADVISORY COMMISSIONS COMPOSED OF ATTORNEYS AND LAY PERSONS WERE FUNCTIONING: THE CRIMINAL RULES ADVISORY COMMISSION, THE EVIDENCE RULES ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE STUDY COMMISSION. THE CRIMINAL AND EVIDENCE RULES COMMITTEES HAVE CODIFIED LAW AND PRACTICE PREVIOUSLY SCATTERED THROUGHOUT STATUTES AND COURT DECISIONS. THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION HAS MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING INTAKE, DETENTION, DIVERSION, CERTIFICATION FOR TRIAL AS AN ADULT, AND THE RIGHT TO TREATMENT. IT HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE COURT IMMEDIATELY CEASE CHARGING JUVENILES NEAR THE AGE OF 18 WITH STATUS OFFENSES. STATISTICAL SUMMARIES ARE GIVEN OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE COURTS. SUMMARIES ARE GIVEN OF THE WORK OF THE BOARD OF CONTINUING EDUCATION, THE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS, THE LAWYERS PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY BOARD, THE JUDICIAL STANDARDS BOARD, AND THE JUDICIAL ADVISORY SERVICES. IN ADDITION, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM AND ITS ACTIVITIES ARE DESCRIBED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN STATISTICAL SUMMARIES OF THE DISPOSITION OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES HANDLED THROUGHOUT THE STATE REVENUE REPORTS OF EACH OF THE DISTRICTS. A DIRECTORY OF STATE AND LOCAL JUDGES, ADMINISTRATORS, AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS IS PROVIDED. (GLR)