« Ind. Decisions - 7th Circuit posts four today, two civil and two criminal sentencing | Main | Ind. Courts - HB 1419, to change appeals court selection process, is dead [Updated] »

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Ind. Courts - Chair of weighted caseload study featured

The Richmond Paladium-Item has a feature today by Rebecca Helmes on Wayne County Superior Court I Judge Thomas Snow. The story reports that in the early 1990s Chief Justice Shepard formed the Judicial Administrative Committee and Judge Snow became its chairman. More:

Snow led a study on case filings in the Indiana court system and was charged with finding a system of improving and equalizing the time it took a case to be resolved.

Through this initiative, Snow did a weighted caseload study and figured out the average time it took to decide murders, divorces, probate issues, auto accidents, small claims, etc. All over Indiana, judges kept time books and reported back. After deciphering the results, it became easier for judges to even out their caseloads.

"We found out caseload doesn't equal workload," Snow said.

Using what Shepard called "the Snow formula," caseloads across the state are randomly assigned so each court has a more equal load. Shepard said the system is also a reliable way to help judges figure out what regions need more judges.

"It met with a fair amount of criticism, because it's not a perfect system," Snow said. "Actually, it's been a success."

Recently a new committee was formed to review Snow's committee's original findings and processes.

"They really didn't do much revision to it at all," Snow said.

Snow said the county courts now see roughly the same number of divorces, criminal cases, and the like. If judges have a reputation for being good at resolving cases like divorces, their divorce caseload isn't influenced by their perceived skill.

"You know you're getting the good, the bad and the ugly," Snow said.

For more on weighted caseloads, see this page on the Indiana Courts site.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 25, 2006 03:52 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts