If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. I : I . ," •• • • "f .. ,. , _. I • ; :-.- , I': . L ----=, ~ANNUAL REPORT to-7-<td-. "iilMINISTRATIVE OFFICE of PENNSYLVANIA. COURTS I NCJRS ~ ACQUi9rrlot'4g U.S. Department of Justice 81872 National Institute of Justice This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or pOlicies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this copyrighted material in mi. crofiche only has been granted by Cbar]ottee S. Carson The Dauphin County Courthouse at Front and Market Streets in Harrisburg combines classic to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). proportions with contemporary Further raproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permis­ details. Dedicated in 1943, it contains sion of the copyright owner. six floors for courts and offices and a penthouse for mechanic2:! purposes. At the Front Street entrance is a fountain which sends forth six streams into an elevated basin. Carved in the wall behind the pool is a quotation from Proverbs: "The law of the wise is a fountain of life." Another on the outward edge of the basin reads: "God gave .the fountain of justice. Men must preserve its purity." Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Surmounting the three doors on Administrative Office of the Market Street side are three Pennsylvania Courts marble figures representing Wisdom, Alexander F. Barbieri, Justice and Mercy. Illustrations Court Administrator engraved in the 11 windows of the Law Library symbolize Hebrew Law, Room 1414 Three Penn Center Plaza Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 Maritime Law, Roman Law, Trial by , 215-496-4500 Jury, the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, Common Law, Equity, Civil Fiscal Office Law, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. 407 City Towers 301 Chestnut Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101 I 717-787-8810 -."...~ .. ~.~.------.-----~----- ~~-~--~~-------~.-... .,-------------=====~'"'.==~""~=:S::'h-""~",,.. ·~:-.t::?;:::;~";"'~"_"'''h .....J';'.~- •. '-'-~'~ -,,~.. -,!-:-,...~".:., ... ::c,c:-...; ...7T"""""...J,~ .. -.---:-._._ .• _ .. -;-_.'C': ..-- ... .:.:.. ::.:: ...--=--=--= .. .k.1Y:.. ....:.. -'-' ___ _ ~~-~ 0 , t.::..,~2i"c:..;::."~~~~::.::.-.,-,..,~W" -- .~ TABLE OF CONTENTS .- j Page Figure 10 21 Court of Common Pleas No. Page SUbject 3 Table of Contents Case Volume: New Ca!>es 20 Highest Six Common 11 21 Court of Common Pleas 4 Foreword: Pleas Filings Chief Justice Henry X. O'Brien Case Volume: Dispositions 2 20 Lowest Six Common 12 21 Court of Common Pleas 5 Report from Alexander F. Barbieri, Pleas Filings Court Administrator Case Volume: Inventory 3 26 Dispositions and 13 22 Criminal Dispositions 6 Map of Pennsylvania's Judge Days Judicial Districts by Type j 4 26 Filings, Dispositions, 14 22 Civil Dispositions by Type 7 Bringing Order to the Courts Inventory 1 9 Map of Unified Judicial System 15 23 Inventory of Criminal 5 26 Disposition Ratio Defendant Records 10 The Year in Review 6 27 Days to Disposition: Civil by County 14 Advisory Committees and Boards & Criminal 16 25 Judges Days: Total Dispositions 18 How the Numbers Add Up 7 27 Days to Disposition: Juve- nile, Domestic Relations, 17 25 Criminal Dispositions 48 District Justices: Where Most Orphans' Court, Adoptions per Judge Day Court Action Starts 8 28 Common Pleas Cases: Per- 18 25 Civil Dispositions 60 Philadelphia Municipal Court cent Disposed by Trial per Judge Day 9 49 61 Court Finances District Justice Cases Filed 19 25 Disposition Time in Days 10 49 District Justice Cases 63 Pennsylvania's judiciary 20 29 Caseload of Judge Filings, Disposed Dispositions & Inventories 64 Appellate Courts 11 58 Traffic Case Filings 21 30 Criminal & Civil Case 64 Judges of Courts of Common 12 58 Traffic Case Dispositions Volume by County Pleas, Senior Judges & Philadelphia Municipal 13 62 FY 80-81 General, Special, 22 50 District Justice Dispositions Court Judges Federal and Other Funds by Category & Type of Action 70 Philadelphia Traffic Court & Pittsburgh Magistrate 23 51 Philadelphia Traffic Court Court Judges 24 51 Pittsburgh Magistrates 71 Glossary of Terms Court Table No. Page Subject 25 51 District Justice Summary of Statewide Filings 15 Complaints Against Lawyers Accepted for 26 52 County Filings: Traffic Investigation Citations, Non-Traffic Citations, Summary Com- 2 15 Disciplinary Cases -I,,\nts, Misdemeanor & Against Lawyers Lrony Complaints, Civil Complaints and Warrants 3 15 Supreme Court Disciplin- ary Orders Issued Against 27 59 District Justice Courts: 10 Lawyers Most Active Counties by Category and Case Volume 4 16 Complaints Against Judges Accepted for Investigation 28 60 Philadelphia Municipal Court: Civil Cases 5 16 Disposition of Complaints Against Judges Since 1969 29 60 Philadelphia Municipal Court: Preliminary 6 16 Inventory of Disciplinary Hearings Cases Against Judges 30 60 Philadelphia Municipal 7 18 Supreme Court Caseload Court: Trial Cases 1976 - 80 31 62 Where the Money Goes 8 18 Superior Court Caseload 1976 - 80 32 62 judiciary Funding 9 19 Commonwealth Court 33 63 Pennsylvania Judiciary 2 Caseload 1980 Employees Preceding page blank 3 .~.,.~,~.---,,"~, ~--, ~."_.'~.'~_c_' ___ -.' ~ __ • > ___ •• .\ ~-~~-~--- ~ ~ r:r FOREWORD REPORT FROM THE ADMINiSTRATOR I am pleased to present the report For these reform~, we owe a To: The Chief Justice of Pennsylvania The decade of the 80's will surely of the Administrative Office of considerable debt to former Chief and the Justices of the Supreme be one of further changes and chal­ Pennsylvania Courts for the year Justice Michael J. Eagen. His Court of Pennsylvania lenges. The litigation explosion shows 1980. Prepared by the Court foresight and dedication helped to Re: 1980 Annual Report some signs of abating in terms of the Administrator of Pennsylvania, the bring about a new era of judicial rapid increase in the number of cases Honorable Alexander F. Barbieri, and service in Pennsylvania. I am pleased to submit herewith, filed. At the same time, the cases his able staff, the following pages pursuant to R.J.A. 505(14), the continuing to pour into the courts are provide at once a comprehensive and The courts of this Commonwealth Annual Report of the Administrative more complex and time consuming detailed account of the operations of are steadfastly committed to advanc­ Office of Pennsylvania Courts for the than before. It is also clear that the the Pennsylvania judicial system. ing the interests of justice. But we year 1980. courts will be required to increase must remember, it is only with the their efficiency wherever possible, as The year 1980 saw the start of continued support of the citizens of More than any prior year during they face the twin pressures of more many new activities, while others were Pennsylvania that our courts can my tenure as Court Administrator of work and existing or reduced financial brought to a successful conclusion. bring existence and meaning to this Pennsylvania, 1980 was a year of support. This is particularly evident in the field fundamental ideal. major changes, improvements and of appellate court reform. reforms at all levels of Pennsylvania's These challenges can be met, as judicial system. In the "Foreword" have those in the past, by the cooper­ With the support of the Legislature preceding this statement, the Chief a.tion and ingenuity of the entire and the approval of the electorate of Justic~ has noted the major reforms judicial branch. I look forward to Pennsylvania, the SuperilJr Court was '~'B~~oL acllieved with the support of the being part of this rewarding task. increased from seven to 15 judges. A Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Legislature in the appellate court Respectfully submitted, second measure to improve the system. Other accomplishments in quality and efficiency of appellate which the Administrative Office of court dispositions was the expansion Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) played of the jurisdiction of the Superior a significant role are detailed at length Court with a corresponding decrease in the report that follows. Alexander F. Barbieri in the areas of mandated jurisdiction Court Administrator of Pennsylvania. of the Supreme Court. As a result, the I particularly want to take this Pennsylvania Supreme Court, like the opportunity to express to the Justices United States Supreme Court, could of the Supreme Court my apprecia­ by its discretion accept or reject tion for their total support, appeals in major jurisdictional areas, cooperation and confidence. On my thereby rendering virtually final the behalf and on behalf of my dedicated decisions of the two intermediate staff, I extend to the judiciary and to appellate courts. Though they will the administrative and support take some time to fully implement, personnel of all other courts, these changes are designed to free the including district justice and other Supreme Court to review, as needed, "grass roots" courts, our sincere judgments in which there was thanks for their vital assistance. uncertainty at the intermediate Without the unstinting efforts of all flPpellate level or a division in the personnel in the many systems court itself as to what the law in the involved, the responsibilities of this particular instance should be. These Office could not have been met. changes will also provide the Court with the much needed time to meet its vast administrative