Summary of State and Local Justice Initiatives 2000

Justice Commissions

Justice Commissions are on-going activities, other than commissions on the futures of the courts, which involve non-lawyers, lawyers and judges to identify and develop solutions to problems facing the justice system.

There are two types. One, with a general scope, reflects a broad effort to determine the critical issues of a state or local justice system and address them. These could take the form of a study commission, citizens summit or series of community task force meetings. The 2000 survey shows 63 general efforts, an increase of 17 over the 46 reported in 1999. Examples include:

• The Philadelphia Bar Association’s "Partners in Justice" project to increase jury participation arose from focus groups and a town hall meeting.

• As encouraged by the Judicial Council’s Task Force on Court Community Outreach, 52 of California’s 58 trial courts reported in March 2000 that they had, most for the first time, developed strategic plans in collaboration with the communities they serve.

• The Vermont Bar Association is teaming up with the Chief Justice’s Court Futures Commission to implement recommendations from the VBA’s Citizens Conference.

• Based on recommendations from a Texas Supreme Court bench/bar/public task force, four bills to improve treatment of jurors were passed by the Texas Legislature in 1999.

For the status of specific states see the "Justice Initiatives" table.

A second type of justice commission involves non-lawyers serving on bench or bar committees dealing with a particular issue. There were 112 specific justice commissions reported in the survey, a substantial increase over the 83 noted in the 1999 report. Illustrative issues covered include access to justice, jury reform, public trust and confidence in the justice system, public education, alternative dispute resolution, criminal justice and volunteers in the courts.

For additional information contact the ABA Office of Justice Initiatives, 312/988-6138, fax 312/988-6100, justice@abanet.org.