Resolution V

In Support of Greater Emphasis on Court Issues in the National Institute of Justice Research Agenda for FY 2000

WHEREAS, the role of research is critical in evaluating the delivery of justice and identifying needed systemic changes to improve the service delivery; and

WHEREAS, the demands on courts have changed dramatically in recent years as they have been required to meet the demographic and cultural changes in the court clientele, handle a greater quantity and complexity of technological and scientific issues, and adapt to changing expectations of the role of courts in their communities; and

WHEREAS, a series of federal policies have significantly impacted virtually every area of state court operations during the past decade; and

WHEREAS, minimal federal funding has been available for research related to the core functions of courts; and

WHEREAS, the National Institute of Justice is the primary federal agency administering funding dedicated to justice system research; and

WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators believe that research will provide for the transfer of knowledge and best practices to courts which will assist them in improving the delivery of justice;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conferences urge that greater emphasis and resources be allocated to research related to the core functions of courts and state court operations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conferences urge the National institute of Justice to include court issues as a major component of their research agenda for FY 2000 and to devote a larger portion of the "investigator initiated" budget to court issues.

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