Judicial Manpower Problems

Abstract

The overriding fact in any study of judicial man power is that the American judiciary is undermanned. There fore, it is increasingly important to use more efficiently the existing judicial manpower. Closer supervision of the number of days worked per trial-term and the number of hours worked per day may increase the amount of time spent in court by judges. Other suggested improvements include a more even distribution of the work-load through the use of the central case assignment system, fuller utilization of nonjudicial personnel not only for clerical matters but also for the hearing of routine motions where consent of counsel is obtained. Furthermore, to utilize fully the judicial manpower of. America, a central authority in each court system should have the power to re assign judges to districts with overcrowded calendars. Lastly, certain courtroom measures could be taken to expedite the trial of cases and thereby to permit each judge to hear more cases per term. These measures are designed to use more fully the supply of judicial talent. They are not a cure for the shortage of judges which is now a problem in many of the courts in America.