ACCORDING TO THIS ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS THE SURPRISING DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED BY DISTRICT COURTS WAS DUE PRIMARLY TO A 24 PERCENT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC CASES. CIVIL CASE FILINGS ACTUALLY INCREASED ALMOST 6 PERCENT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE HIGHER COSTS OF GASOLINE ARE PROMPTING PEOPLE TO DRIVE LESS AND AT LOWER SPEEDS. DURING THE YEAR THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH PROVIDES THAT ONLY A PERSON AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE MAY BE APPOINTED OR ELECTED TO A JUDGESHIP. AT PRESENT NONLAWYERS MAY BE JUDGES. THE PEOPLE WILL VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT DURING THE NOVEMBER 1980 GENERAL ELECTION. THE LEGISLATURE ALSO AMENDED THE JUDICIAL STANDARDS COMMISSION LAWS GOVERNING CENSURE OF REMOVAL OF A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, SUCH ACTIONS WILL NOW BE HEARD BY THE COURT OF APPEALS INSTEAD OF THE SUPREME COURT. THE NORTH CAROLINA COURT COMMISSION WAS REESTABLISHED TO OVERSEE COURT OPERATIONS, AND A PRESUMPTIVE SENTENCING LAW DIVIDING FELONIES INTO 10 CLASSES AND SETTING SENTENCES FOR EACH CLASS, WAS PASSED. THE JUVENILE CODE WAS REVISED AND CHANGES WERE MADE IN DETAILS OF COURT OPERATION. THE STATISTICAL SECTIONS OF THIS REPORT COVER COURT OPERATIONS, BUDGETS, NUMBERS OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES, AND NUMBERS OF COURT PERSONNEL.