THE COUNCIL IS A STATUTORY BODY OF 18 MEMBERS. ITS FUNCTIONS ARE TO STUDY ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF ALL COURTS IN THE STATE, TO INVESTIGATE CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS PERTAINING TO THE ADINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, TO BE INFORMED ABOUT DECISIONS OF COURTS AND THE LEGISLATURE THAT AFFECT THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF COURTS, AND TO RECOMMEND DESIRABLE CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT. PROJECTS AND STUDIES OF INTEREST TO THE COUNCIL INCLUDE JURY SELECTION, RESTITUTION, JURY TERMS, JUROR PROTECTION ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS, THE SENTENCING ACT IN THE STATE, CLERK LEGISLATION, GRAND JURY REFORM, INCREASED MILEAGE FOR JURORS, JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND ELIMINATION OF THE SEPARATE APPEALS DIVISION FROM THE PUBLIC DEFENDER DEPARTMENT OF THE COUNCIL. ADDITIONAL AREAS OF INTEREST TO THE COUNCIL ARE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM, JUDICARE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER PROGRAM, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JUVENILE COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ARSON LAWS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT OF THE STATE, THE CONDUCT OF MEETINGS INVOLVING JUDICIAL OFFICIALS, LEGISLATION, AND JUDICIAL COMPENSATION. DATA ON JUDICIAL SALARIES ARE PROVIDED IN RELATION TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR 1967 THROUGH 1978. (DEP)