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STATE OF THE JUDICIARY, 1975

NCJ Number
47809
Journal
American Bar Association Journal Volume: 61 Dated: (APRIL 1975) Pages: 439-443
Author(s)
W E BURGER
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT COMMENTS ON THE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM AS OF 1975 IN AN ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
Abstract
STATISTICS SHOWING THE GROWING CASELOADS OF THE COURTS ARE CITED, AND IT IS NOTED THAT, WHEN THE SYSTEM IS CHANGED IN A WAY THAT BRINGS MORE CASES INTO THE COURTS, THEN THE COURTS MUST BE GIVEN THE TOOLS TO HANDLE THE CASES. TWO ISSUES - THE NEED FOR CONGRESS TO PROVIDE THE ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS AND FUNDS NEEDED BY THE FEDERAL COURTS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SPEEDY TRIAL ACT AND THE NEED TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF FEDERAL JUDGES -- ARE EMPHASIZED. THE BURDEN IMPOSED BY INEXPERIENCED LAWYERS ON TRIAL JUDGES IS POINTED OUT. THE NEED FOR A SCREENING PROCESS TO ASSURE THE COMPETENCE OF LAWYERS WHO APPEAR IN FEDERAL COURT IS NOTED. PARALLELING THE LACK OF LITIGATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE OF MANY LAWYERS IS SAID TO BE AN ABSENCE OF ADEQUATE EDUCATION IN STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCT. BAR ASSOCIATIONS ARE URGED TO MULTIPLY THEIR EFFORTS IN ENFORCING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. THE FAILURE OF SOME JUDGES TO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THEIR DUTIES IS ALSO RECOGNIZED, AND THE NEED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR BOTH JUDGES AND LAWYERS IS NOTED. OTHER ISSUES -IMPROVING ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES FOR MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES, LIMITING THE DIVERSE JURISDICTIONS OF FEDERAL COURTS, REDUCING OR ELIMINATING THREE-JUDGES DISTRICT COURTS, CLARIFYING STATUTES RELATING TO U.S. MAGISTRATES, CREATING A POOL OF FEDERAL JUDGES - ARE ADDRESSED. (LKM)

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