Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Part.1:.Customer.Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Part.2:.Public.Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Part.3:.Alternate.Dispute.Resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Part.4:.Family.Courts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Part.5:.Sentencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Part.6:.Judicial.Branch.Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Minority.Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Appendices A:.Supreme.Court.Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 B:.Commission.Members .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 C:.New.Hampshire.State.Court.Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 D:.Schedule.and.Location.of.Public.Listening.Sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 E:.Research.Committee.Charges.and.Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 F:.Grants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 G:.Accessibility.Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Table of Contents  ....he.chief.justice.of.the.New.Hampshire.Supreme. attention.of.judicial.branch.leaders.and.policy-makers. T..Court.serves.as.the.presiding.justice.of.the.five-to.make.the.judicial.branch.as.responsive.as.possible. member.appellate.court ..The.New.Hampshire. Constitution.also.designates.the.chief.justice.as.the. administrative.head.of.the.entire.judicial.branch,.which. includes.the.four.trial.courts ..In.his.capacity.as.chief. administrative.officer,.Chief.Justice.John.T ..Broderick. Jr ..appointed.103.New.Hampshire.citizens.to.serve. on.the.New.Hampshire.Citizens.Commission.on.the. State.Courts.in.April.2005 ..The.Supreme.Court.gave. the.Commission.authority.to.independently.assess. how.justice.is.delivered.by.the.judicial.branch.from. the.perspective.of.the.state’s.1 .2.million.residents,. and.to.make.recommendations.for.improvements.(see. Appendix.A) ..Ninety-nine.citizens.ultimately.formed.the. Commission.(see.Appendix.B) . This.document.is.the.Commission’s.final.report.to.the. chief.justice.and.the.members.of.the.Supreme.Court .. As.citizen.commissioners.we.have.come.to.appreciate. over.the.past.year.that.the.judicial.branch.by.itself.will. not.be.able.to.implement.all.of.our.recommendations .. Many.of.our.recommendations.will.require.the.attention. of.all.three.branches.of.New.Hampshire.government .. Part.I,.Article.14.of.the.New.Hampshire.Constitution,. adopted.in.1784,.provides.that.every.citizen.is.“en-titled.to.a.certain.remedy,. by.having.recourse.to.the. laws,.for.all.injuries.he. may.receive.in.his.person,. property,.or.character;.to. obtain.right.and.justice. freely,.without.being.obliged. to.purchase.it;.completely,. and.without.any.denial;. promptly,.and.without. delay;.conformably.to.the.laws .”.Today,.in.2006,.the. judicial.branch.meets.this.constitutional.role.with.67. courts.located.in.42.facilities,.68.full-time.judges.and. masters,.51.part-time.judges,.close.to.600.employees. (who.serve.the.administrative.needs.of.the.system),. an.operating.budget.of.$63.million.a.year.and.the. annual.disposition.of.more.than.225,000.cases .. Introduction As.one.of.three.branches.of.New.Hampshire.state. government,.the.New.Hampshire.judiciary.derives. its.authority.from.the.state.constitution ..It.derives.its. sustainable.power.to.act.for.the.public.good.from. public.trust.and.confidence ..If.the.price.of.liberty. is.eternal.vigilance,.the.New.Hampshire.Citizens. Commission.on.State.Courts.sees.this.report.as.part. of.that.eternal.vigilance.to.assure.that.public.trust. and.confidence.in.the.New.Hampshire.judicial.branch. remains.strong .. The.Citizens.Commission.was.organized.as.an. advisory.body.(see.Appendix.B.for.complete.list.of. Commission.members) ..The.Commission’s.goal.was. to.highlight.problems.as.seen.through.the.eyes.of. the.New.Hampshire.citizenry.and.formulate.solu-tions ..We.present.these.recommendations.as.the. major.issues.that.we,.as.a.group,.believe.require.the. to.the.needs.of.New.Hampshire.citizens ..It.should. also.be.noted.that.these.recommendations.are.the. result.of.a.thorough.public.inquiry,.as.opposed.to. an.exhaustive.academic.research.effort.on.a.set.of. public.policies .. The.Commission.went.about.its.work.in.three.phases:. a.ten-month.research.phase,.a.three-month.delibera-tive.phase.(breaking.into.eight.working.research.. committees).and.a.two-month.final.report.writing. phase ..We.recognize.that.some.of.our.recommenda-tions.may.significantly.change.the.way.the.judicial. branch.does.business.today;.others.may.have.costs. beyond.the.capacity.of.the.current.judicial.branch. budget.to.assume.without.significant.adjustments;. some.can.be.implemented.by.a.directive.from.the. chief.justice.and.others.will.require.legislative.action .. The.Commission’s.recommendations.are.comple-mented.by.other.initiatives.undertaken.by.the.judicial. branch.to.explore.specific.issues.and.challenges.in. greater.detail,.and.several.of.the.recommendations. will.likely.require.more.research.by.the.judicial.branch. as.it.determines.whether.and.how.to.implement. specific.recommendations .. Following.a.ten-month.research.effort.and.a.three-month.period.of.discussion,.deliberation.and.. decision-making,.the.Citizens.Commission.has. assembled.30.recommendations.that.it.believes. warrant.action.by.state.policy-makers.to.improve. the.delivery.of.justice.in.New.Hampshire ..These. recommendations.are.made.with.the.understanding. that.the.chief.justice.and.the.staff.will.assess.their. viability,.cost.and.a.pathway.for.implementation.and. report.back.to.the.Commission.within.six.months.as. to.which.recommendations.he.intends.to.pursue .. The.recommendations.are.reported.in.six.parts .. Part.One.addresses.what.the.Commission.believes. to.be.a.core.need.of.the.entire.court.system.—.the. improvement.of.customer.services.to.consumers.of. court.services ..Part.Two.addresses.issues.related.to. the.need.to.improve.public.access.to.the.courts,.both. physical.access.and.access.to.court.information.and. court.systems ..Part.Three.addresses.the.need.to.make. a.greater.commitment.to.developing.and.funding.al-ternative.dispute.resolution.and.the.use.of.mediation. to.avoid.trials ..Part.Four.addresses.substantive.issues. the.Commission.believes.the.new.Family.Division. should.consider.as.it.moves.from.an.experiment.in.two. counties.to.a.statewide.system.in.all.ten.counties ..Part. Five.addresses.sentencing.issues ..Part.Six.addresses. extended.outreach.activities.the.Commission.believes. the.judicial.branch.should.develop .. In.its.information.gathering.phase.(May-December. 2005).the.Commission.conducted.a.series.of.activi-ties.to.inform.itself.on.its.charge,.including: 1 . Published.a.bibliography.of.major.state.and. national.research.papers.on.major.issues.related. to.the.judiciary,.making.these.documents.avail-able.to.the.Commissioners.and.the.public.on.the. Commission.website; 2 . Hosted.one.of.five.Commission.meetings.in.2005. with.representatives.from.the.National.Center.for. State.Courts.to.understand.how.other.states.have. conducted.similar.citizen.surveys.of.state.judicial. systems; 3 . Hosted.11.public.listening.sessions.around.the. state,.receiving.input.from.more.than.100.citizens. (list.of.meeting.locations.and.dates.in.Appendix. D;.full.transcripts.available.on.the.Commission. website.at.wwwnhcitcourts .org); 4 . Conducted.a.public.opinion.survey.of.750.New. Hampshire.residents.(see.full.survey.at.Commis-sion.website.at.www .nhcitcourts .org).through.the. University.of.New.Hampshire.Survey.Center; 5 . Invited.public.input.by.regular.mail.and.by. electronic.submission . The.Commission.then.went.into.a.more.focused. research.phase.(December.2005.–.February.2006). and.divided.into.eight.working.research.committees. focused.on.the.following.subjects.(see.Appendix.E.for. detailed.charges.to.each.research.committee): 1 . Alternative.Dispute.Resolution 2 . Communication.&.Customer.Service 3 . The.Courts.as.a.Business 4 . Family.Courts 5 . Problem.Solving.Courts 6 . Public.Access.to.State.Courts 7 . Sentencing 8 . The.Third.Branch. Each.of.these.eight.research.committees.prepared. formal.written.recommendations.supported.by.a. narrative.rationale.which.were.presented.to.the.full. Commission ..On.March.13.and.20,.2006.the.full. Commission.met.in.Representatives.Hall.in.the.State. House.to.deliberate.on.the.recommendations.(see. Commission.website.at.www .nhcitcourts .org.for.a. complete.list.of.recommendations.considered) ..Two. recommendations.were.determined.inexpedient. for.further.consideration,.one.was.tabled.without. further.consideration.and.the.rest.were.adopted. as.presented.or.with.amendments ..One.minority. report.was.adopted.by.eleven.commissioners,.and. appears.at.the.end.of.this.document ..The.co-chairs.of. the.Commission.drafted.the.final.report,.which.was. reviewed.by.the.full.Commission.and.adopted.in.its. final.form.on.June.1,.2006 . The.cost.of.the.Commission’s.work.totaled.$77,500. (See.Appendix.F.for.report.of.income.and.expenses) .. Major.funding.came.in.the.form.of.two.grants,.one. from.the.New.Hampshire.Bar.Foundation.and.one. from.the.New.Hampshire.Charitable.Foundation .. Major.costs.were.the.public.opinion.survey.conducted. by.the.University.of.New.Hampshire.Survey.Center,.the. administrative.expenses.to.support.the.Commission’s. meetings.and.work,.the.construction.and.maintenance. of.a.website.(www .nhcitcourts .org).on.which.all.Com-mission.documents.and.information.are.located.and. the.editing.and.printing.of.the.final.report . Each.member.of.the.Commission.served.as.a. volunteer ..As.citizens,.we.are.committed.to.follow-ing.through.with.the.volunteer.service.invested.in. producing.this.report.by.working.to.promote.the. adoption.and.implementation.of.these.recommenda-tions ..Initial.action.on.Commission.recommendations. will.require.the.leadership.and.support.of.the.chief. justice.and.his.colleagues.in.the.judicial.branch .. Formal.adoption.of.many.of.our.recommendations. will.require.the.support.of.all.three.branches.of. government,.executive,.legislative.and.judicial,.and. of.the.citizenry.itself ..While.the.principal.work.of. the.Commission.is.complete.with.the.presentation. of.this.report,.many.Commissioners.intend.to.invest. additional.time.by.advocating.for.the.adoption.of. these.recommendations . Introduction  Part.1 Recommendation #1 The judicial branch should create a customer-service-based court environment. This can be achieved through the following measures: A. Designate a helper at each courthouse and a Family Law case manager in each judicial facility; set up a toll-free help line. Service B. Create a judicial branch ombudsman’s office. C. Establish fixed and non-traditional court hours. D. Create judicial facilities with greater attention to litigant needs. Initial.entry.into.New.Hampshire’s.courthouses.is.a. matter.of.mystery.to.many ..Questions.as.simple.as. “Am.I.in.the.right.place?.Where.in.the.building.will. my.case.be.heard?.When.will.it.be.heard?”.and.many. others.make.the.experience.even.more.uncomfortable. and.foreboding ..To.enter.many.New.Hampshire.court. buildings.most.individuals.with.walking.disabilities. (visitors,.plaintiffs,.defendants,.attorneys,.jurors,. judges,.and.staff).must.use.a.locked.door.in.the.rear,. which.requires.ringing.a.doorbell.and.speaking.over. an.intercom.to.security.officers ..This.“back.door”. treatment.is.often.interpreted.as.being.less.equal. to.those.who.are.able.to.enter.the.court.building. through.the.main.entrance . Each.court.should.be.staffed.with.a.clearly.identified. greeter.charged.with.meeting.the.basic.informational. needs.of.the.public ..This.need.not.be.a.new.position. and.existing.court.staff.may.be.so.designated .. Centralized.and.obvious.signage.containing.dockets,. schedules.and.other.information.should.be.provided. in.an.obvious.place,.easily.noticeable.upon.entry . Family.Division.case.managers.should.be.provided.to. assure.that.litigants.understand.the.required.forms. and.the.proper.way.to.complete.them ..Case.manag- ers.will.be.able.to.provide.information.regarding. mediation.and.available.social.services,.and.to. explain.basic.procedural.questions ..This.will.save. judicial.time.and.help.ensure.that.accurate.informa- tion.is.provided .. Part.1 A.toll-free.help.line.can.also.help.alleviate.the.burden. to.the.system.of.pro.se.litigants.by.providing.guid- ance.through.the.court.process ..The.State.of.Alaska’s. court.system.provides.a.model.for.this.option .. Restrictions.on.ex.parte.communication.with.judges,. while.necessary.to.preserve.judicial.fairness,.are.power- ful.roadblocks.to.litigants.in.receiving.information .. A.system-wide.ombudsman.should.be.appointed.to. provide.the.public.with.a.valuable.avenue.for.articulat-ing.problems.and.avoiding.further.misunderstanding .. Not.only.will.this.service.aid.the.public.in.voicing. concerns.and.complaints,.but.the.existence.of.an. ombudsman’s.office.will.also.provide.the.judiciary.with. an.important.channel.through.which.to.obtain.informa-tion.often.unavailable.to.it ..The.ombudsman.could.also. be.charged.with.coordinating.a.judicial.public.outreach. program.to.help.educate.the.public.about.the.workings. of.the.judicial.branch.(see.Part.6) ..The.New.Jersey.and. Maryland.court.systems.provide.models .. Litigants.are.unnecessarily.losing.income.and.incur-ring.increased.legal.fees.due.to.ineffective.scheduling .. Too.often.all.cases.are.scheduled.for.9.a .m ..or.1.p .m .. without.regard.to.the.probability.that.some.cases.will. not.be.heard.until.much.later.in.the.day ..Not.all.cases. need.to.be.scheduled.for.the.same.hour ..Scheduling. some.court.time.during.traditional.non-working.hours. will.further.reduce.adverse.economic.impact.on. litigants ..The.Commission.recommends.that.courts.be. open.during.such.hours.on.selected.days .. Judicial.facilities.provide.inadequate.public.space .. Pleas.and.settlement.negotiations.take.place.in. hallways,.heavily.populated.areas.and.even.outdoors .. Courthouses.should.have.work.areas.with.adequate. tables,.chairs.and.privacy.to.allow.litigants.to. complete.forms.and.settlement.documents.and.have. private.conversations ..These.matters.are.too.serious. to.be.hindered.by.inadequate.facilities .. More.and.more.litigants.bring.children.to.court ..To. avoid.unnecessary.distractions,.waiting.areas.should. be.designated.for.litigants.with.children .. Recommendation #2 The judicial branch should rapidly implement and maintain an up-to-date information technology system and related equipment. Specifically, it should: A. Implement a system-wide computer system within two years. B. Make better use of video/teleconferencing to reduce physical presence at court-mandated hearings. C. Improve the functionality of the judicial branch website. Any.consumer-oriented.business.must.use.up-to-date.technology ..In.the.case.of.the.judicial.branch,. technology.can.be.used.to.help.save.time.and.money .. In.addition,.the.Web.provides.an.opportunity.for. informing.the.public.and.providing.training.for.staff .. Using.computers,.video.and.teleconferencing.is.not. without.cost,.but.failing.to.do.so.is.a.failure.to.employ. the.single.best.means.to.render.the.judicial.branch. more.consumer-friendly.and.less.costly.overall .. Thirty-six.District.Courts,.11.Superior.Courts,.10. Probate.Courts,.the.emerging.Family.Division.and.the. Supreme.Court.schedule.cases.every.day ..Presently,. each.court’s.docket.is.produced.with.little.or.no. knowledge.of.counsel.schedules,.resulting.in.frequent. conflicts ..Scheduling.conflicts.under.the.current. system.are.resolved.by.a.series.of.phone.calls.and. motions.to.continue ..While.these.efforts.do.nothing. to.help.the.litigants.or.their.cases,.they.generally. produce.legal.fees.as.lawyers.reschedule.cases ..In. addition,.substantial.court.time.is.spent.deciding. those.motions.and.providing.notices.for.rescheduled. cases ..While.it.would.be.nearly.impossible.for.the. more.than.58.clerks’.offices.to.identify.such.conflicts. under.the.current.system,.a.system-wide.data.bank. could.identify.most.of.them.instantaneously .. Recommendation #3 Public.access.to.computers.should.also.provide. uniform.access.to.and.guidance.on.a.variety.of.legal. forms ..Pro.se.litigants.will.have.a.far.easier.time. negotiating.the.system.with.such.guidance .. Teleconferencing.and.videoconferencing.eliminate. travel ..Such.services.can.avoid.the.substantial.cost.of. providing.travel.and.security.for.some.court.appear-ances.by.incarcerated.individuals ..To.the.extent.that. travel.costs.and.lawyer.time.are.removed.from.legal. bills,.clients.will.enjoy.the.savings ..In.most.cases,. structuring.conferences.and.hearings.on.preliminary. matters.could.be.handled.by.electronic.conferencing .. While.all.or.some.of.these.capabilities.are.already. available,.they.are.underemployed ..Aside.from.assur-ing.the.availability.of.these.tools,.rule.changes.should. be.implemented.indicating.the.preference.for.such. conferencing,.except.in.extraordinary.circumstances .. The.current.judicial.branch.website.is.an.attractive. and.functional.communications.tool ..It.could.be. improved,.however,.providing.relevant.information. across.a.wide.range.of.needs ..The.Superior.Court.of. Arizona,.Maricopa.County.website.provides.a.model. of.excellence .. The judicial branch should significantly accelerate its deployment and use of information technology in the context of a technology plan to improve the courts’ operating effectiveness and efficiency. Specifically, the Commission recommends that: A. The implementation of the Odyssey case management system be accelerated and that the judicial Part.1 branch’s management fully utilize the outcomes and productivity measures embedded in Odyssey.  B. The judicial branch employ benchmark technologies such as electronic filing and notification, digital voice recording, and electronic scheduling; and adopt new practices and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary in terms of the outcomes discussed in the performance management recommendation discussed in Recommendation #5. C. The judicial branch put in place an Information Technology Advisory Board, perhaps from the Judicial Council, to provide ongoing, independent expert counsel on best practices in the application of information technology. D. The judicial branch should develop a technology plan to provide a framework for technology investment and the technical evolution of the courts. As a part of that plan, the courts should establish a limited set of IT principles to guide the plan. Processes should be designed so that each keystroke is captured only once to avoid duplication of effort and increased error rates. The judicial branch’s various constituencies should be free to choose a preferred medium of exchange: telephone, hardcopy, e-mail, or the Internet. E. The primary driver in expanded use of technology should be to improve access to the judicial branch by its consumers. For example, the Family Division should use technology to provide pro se litigants with more direct access to information about Family Division procedures. Information.technology.represents.one.of.the.key. tools.available.to.the.judicial.branch.to.improve.qual-ity.of.service.and.to.lower.costs ..The.judiciary.should. judge.its.technological.opportunities.against.the.tests. of.real.outcomes.measures,.such.as.reductions.in. time.to.close.cases.and.lower.cost.per.case ..Accelera-tion.of.the.Odyssey.implementation,.in.particular,.is. essential.to.the.implementation.of.real.performance-based.management.across.the.judicial.branch.and. the.gains.in.effectiveness.that.will.follow ..But.effective. use.of.technology.involves.more.than.investment;. it.requires.changes.in.management.processes.and. practice ..There.are.other.immediate.opportunities.for. technology-driven.improvements.in.judicial.branch. functioning,.such.as.electronic.filing.and.notification .. New.and.effective.applications.of.technology.will. Recommendation #4 continually.become.available ..Finally,.an.independent. advisory.board.can.add.an.expert,.external.perspec-tive.on.the.best.use.of.technology . Using.appropriate.technology.to.streamline.court. scheduling.would.eliminate.the.“cattle.call”.of. attorneys.and.litigants,.reducing.down.time.at.the. courthouse.for.attorneys.and.litigants.and.the.result-ing.associated.costs ..Current.scheduling.practices,. which.do.not.provide.litigants.with.specific.hearing. times,.drive.up.the.cost.of.representation.and.can. translate.into.lost.wages.and/or.increased.child-care. expenses.for.litigants ..At.the.same.time,.certain. hearings.may.lend.themselves.to.telephone.and/or. video.conferencing,.reducing.time.and.cost.in.travel. to.the.courthouse . The critical element in the judicial branch’s future effectiveness in serving its clientele is its human resources, the judiciary and court staff. With that in mind, the Commission recommends: A. That the New Hampshire judicial branch be served by full-time judges. Specifically, this policy should be in place for all new judicial appointments, effectively phasing in the timing and cost of this policy shift. B. That the judicial branch significantly increase its investment in training and development of the judiciary and court staff. This investment should include funding for and time to attend courses and seminars. Minimum standards and continuing education requirements should be established by job title and monitored in performance reviews. In addition, courts should be evaluated to determine whether staffing levels are adequate to meet current workload demands. C. As the judicial branch moves to be more outcomes- (or performance-) driven in its management, job descriptions and annual reviews should include measures of personal accountability for outcomes. The human resource system should provide support, where appropriate, for remediation, assistance, and corrective action. Excellence in the delivery of superior outcomes should be rewarded through staff promotions and/or salary adjustments. D. In addition to being well-trained, administrative staff should be supported in their efforts to administer justice. Management and judges should ensure that court staff feel appreciated and Part.1 valued for their essential role in the fair administration of justice. Mechanisms should be in place to  evaluate staff morale. If staff does not feel supported and appreciated, such dissatisfaction could effect interactions in-house and with the public. Court staff should also be involved in problem-solving in the areas of customer service and efficiency. For example, regular staff meetings which include judges will not only improve communication about upcoming changes to court policies and procedures, but will also allow administrative staff to voice thoughts, concerns, and ideas about how best to administer justice. Such strategies will create a sense of teamwork and staff investment in meeting overall goals. E. That the staff compensation structure be reviewed to assure the ability of the judicial branch to recruit and retain a well-trained and qualified staff; and provide adequate staff facilities in which to work. New.Hampshire.has.benefited.from.the.talents.and. productivity.gains.and.process.innovations ..To.attract. efforts.of.its.judges,.marital.masters.and.staff ..To. and.develop.the.talent.necessary.to.achieve.those. meet.the.future.demands.on.the.New.Hampshire. high.objectives.will.require.investments.in.human. judicial.branch.for.high.quality.service.and.justice. capital ..In.addition,.human.resource.management. without.continuing.significant.increases.in.expense. should.set.standards.for.training.and.expertise,. and.resources.will.require.substantial.and.ongoing. reward.excellence.and.innovation,.and.address. lagging.performance.to.improve.the.productivity. and.effectiveness.of.all.staff ..Finally,.the.public.is. increasingly.sensitive.to.real.or.potential.conflicts. of.interest.in.both.public.and.private.institutions .. Accordingly,.even.if.part-time.judges.maintain.high. levels.of.impartiality.and.are.scrupulous.in.dealing. with.persons.they.may.serve.in.private.law.practice,. the.perception.of.possible.bias.and.unequal.or.unfair. treatment.has.the.potential.to.erode.the.public’s. confidence.in.the.judiciary . The.New.Hampshire.judicial.system.has.remarkably. competent.and.loyal.employees ..This.is.true.despite. low.starting.pay.($20,125.per.year.for.a.Court. Assistant.II).and.the.fact.that.long-term.employee. salaries.are.capped.without.regard.to.developing. expertise.or.outstanding.performance ..But.for.health. and.dental.insurance.and.the.New.Hampshire. Retirement.System.pension,.there.is.little.incentive.for. highly.qualified.employees.to.join.or.remain.among. the.judicial.branch’s.ranks ..In.most.cases,.private. sector.employment.in.related.areas.is.more.lucrative .. The.hierarchical.structure.inherent.in.the.judicial. branch.can.create.an.“us-and-them”.atmosphere. between.court.staff,.management.and.judges ..One. way.to.counter.this.is.to.involve.administrative.staff. in.problem-solving.to.improve.customer.service,.. efficiency.and.productivity ..Additionally,.staff. workloads.need.to.be.monitored.to.ensure.that. staffing.is.sufficient.to.meet.increased.administrative. demands ..For.example,.the.Legislature.recently. mandated.the.submission.of.a.multi-page.parenting. plan.for.parents.seeking.a.divorce ..Processing.this. added.paperwork.has.increased.administrative.staff. workload ..Little.or.no.consideration.was.given.to.the. impact.this.increased.workload.would.have.on.staff .. When.new.policies.are.created,.and.no.additional. staff.is.hired,.existing.administrative.staff.become. Recommendation #5 overworked,.stressed.and.can.fall.behind.on.. processing.cases .. A.motivated,.well-trained.staff.is.essential.to. first-class.customer.service ..Without.an.adequate. compensation.structure.and.functional.facilities,.the. judicial.branch.will.suffer.attrition.to.the.qualified. workforce.and.customer.service.will.decline ..The. impending.loss,.due.to.retirement,.of.experienced. judicial.staff.makes.it.particularly.important.that. these.recommendations.be.implemented.quickly .. It.is.particularly.important.that.the.staff.be.involved. in.the.quest.for.better.customer.service ..Staff.and. judicial.officers.should.receive.continuing.training. regarding.sensitivity,.bias.and.court.ethics ..Court. staff.and.judges.should.hold.regular.meetings.where. all.concerned.are.free.to.express.views.and.ideas.in.a. continuing.effort.to.better.serve.the.public .. Staff.should.be.regularly.evaluated.with.emphasis. not.only.on.regular.work.performance,.but.customer. service,.problem-solving.and.creative.thinking ..Annual. training.sessions.should.be.scheduled.to.review. developments.in.the.law.and.procedures,.technical. advancements.and.protocols.for.working.with.the. public,.including.protocols.for.working.with.agitated. or.hostile.parties ..Of.the.$63.million.judicial.branch. budget,.a.total.of.$85,000.was.allocated.in.2006. for.education.and.training.expenses.of.all.judges,. masters.and.staff .. Cramped.and.inadequate.work.areas.adversely.affect. staff.health.and.efficiency ..In.many.courthouses,.work. areas.are.cramped.and.inefficient.and.lack.proper. security.to.protect.staff.from.the.risk.of.physical.harm .. This.alone.represents.a.serious.failing ..Unsafe.environ-ments.provide.but.one.more.barrier.to.successfully. recruiting.and.retaining.competent.employees .. The Commission recommends that the primary management philosophy of the judicial branch be one in Part.1 which outcomes govern process. To this end, the Commission recommends that the judicial branch:  A. Assemble a leadership group of judges and staff to recommend outcomes-based performance objectives and specific measurable goals for consideration and approval by the chief justice and the administrative judges. B. Use that same leadership group to develop recommendations for reporting and review processes to be employed on quarterly and annual bases for the ongoing management of the New Hampshire judicial branch. C. Use these performance objectives and measurements, and reporting and review processes, to actively manage performance throughout the entire judiciary. D. Report, at least annually, on the judiciary’s performance against these objectives and goals to the judicial branch’s constituencies: the Legislature, governor, Judicial Council, the New Hampshire Bar Association and the public. E. Review and revise the objectives, measurements, and management processes on a continuing basis. Today,.the.primary.focus.of.judicial.branch.manage-ment.is.process,.the.establishment.of.rules.that. determine.how.every.legal.circumstance.faced.by.a. litigant.is.to.be.handled ..This.approach.has.the.virtue. of.clarity.and.certainty ..It.also.has.three.significant. drawbacks ..First,.it.may.divert.attention.from.real. outcomes.like.timely.and.fair.justice.as.it.rewards. the.blind.application.of.process.rules ..Second,.it. may.restrain.institutional.progress.in.the.judiciary .. Management.by.process.rules.does.not.invite.or. engage.the.human.resources.of.the.judicial.branch.in. the.work.of.innovation.and.creating.a.better.future .. Third,.management.exclusively.by.process.creates. an.ever-expanding.list.of.process.rules.that.make.the. courts.less.accessible.to.the.non-lawyer.and.result.in. shelves.full.of.court.rules ..The.judicial.branch.will.be. best.served.by.placing.an.emphasis.on.outcomes.that. define.the.long-term.success.of.the.judicial.branch,. while.fully.recognizing.that.rules.are.necessary.for. the.administration.of.justice.in.individual.cases .. While.process.is.critical.to.operations,.the.judicial. branch’s.constituencies.are.more.interested.in. performance.in.areas.they.consider.important:. timely.justice,.equal.access,.customer.service,.and. cost ..Without.recognizing.those.desired.outcomes,. measuring.performance.against.those.outcomes,. and.managing.against.those.objectives,.excellence.in. performance.will.always.be.more.a.matter.of.chance. and.exceptional.effort.than.real.management.and. leadership ..Further,.where.an.institution.views.its. performance.only.against.process,.there.is,.almost. by.definition,.no.progress ..Approved.processes.either. are.or.are.not.followed ..By.focusing.on.outcomes,.the. judiciary.can.be.engaged.in.innovation.and.invest-ments.to.drive.performance.improvements ..And.such. measures.and.reporting.would.enrich.the.judicial. branch’s.communication.with.its.constituencies . Part.2 Recommendation #6 Recognizing the importance of protecting the rights of civil litigants in certain Public Access legal disputes, the Commission recommends that New Hampshire examine the expansion of legal representation to civil litigants unable to afford counsel and study the implementation of a “civil Gideon.” In the landmark criminal case of Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court found that people cannot adequately navigate the legal system on their own and that going to jail is too high a price to pay for one’s inability to afford legal counsel. The concept of a civil Gideon extends the premise of right to counsel to certain limited and specific non-criminal cases in which essential rights are at stake. We.aspire.to.be.a.fair.and.just.society ..Fairness.and. justice.require.the.protection.of.essential.rights.for. all,.regardless.of.economic.circumstances ..A.fair. hearing.when.essential.rights.are.at.stake.is.pre-mised.on.having.legal.counsel ..As.the.U .S ..Supreme. Recommendation #7 Court.found.in.Gideon,.“The.right.to.be.heard.would. be,.in.many.cases,.of.little.avail.if.it.did.not.compre-hend.the.right.to.be.heard.by.counsel .”..Inability.to. afford.representation.should.not.mean.having.to. surrender.vital.legal.rights . The State of New Hampshire should fully fund legal services staffing for traditional civil legal services. Part.2 0 The.Commission.recognizes.that.the.current.network. of.civil.legal.assistance.is.excellent,.and.in.many.ways. a.model.in.terms.of.the.quality.of.representation.and. level.of.cooperation.among.providers ..That.being. said,.the.system.is.woefully.overburdened ..By.some. estimates,.only.20.percent.of.the.low-income.people. who.need.legal.services.are.receiving.them ..The. current.delivery.system.is.tried.and.true.–.but.lacks. the.resources.to.achieve.full.success ..The.Commission. urges.that.this.system.be.fully.funded . Meaningful.access.to.New.Hampshire.courts.is. limited.by.the.inability.of.many.people.to.pay.for. legal.services ..Economic.and.procedural.barriers. present.challenges.for.a.growing.percentage.of.the. population ..It.is.estimated.that.among.low-income. citizens,.only.a.small.fraction.of.those.involved.in.civil. matters.have.their.legal.needs.met.by.the.current. levels.of.legal.assistance.services ..Moreover,.a.grow-ing.segment.of.moderate-.and.middle-income.citizens. are.unable.to.afford.or.gain.access.to.conventional. legal.representation . As.a.result,.many.people.forgo.use.of.the.justice. system.even.when.they.face.problems.in.their.lives. that.the.system.could.address ..They.know.they.cannot. afford.a.large.retainer,.so.they.never.pursue.potential. legal.claims .. Another.option.for.low-,.moderate-,.or.middle-income. people.who.cannot.afford.to.pay.the.cost.of.legal. services.is.to.represent.themselves.in.court ..The. rise.in.the.number.of.pro.se.litigants.presents.many. challenges:.pro.se.parties.are.not.trained.in.the.law. and.hence.often.do.an.inadequate.job.of.represent- litigants.also.undermines.the.smooth.functioning.of. ing.themselves ..Justice.is.therefore.compromised,. the.courts.by.introducing.delays.and.inefficiencies,. resulting.in.pro.se.litigants.being.deprived.of.their. adding.further.to.legal.costs.for.all . full.rights ..The.increase.in.the.number.of.untrained. Recommendation #8 The judicial branch should invest in the further education of pro se litigants, including: Creating a public education program to educate potential litigants about court procedures, avail-A. able resources and issues to consider in evaluating legal needs. One such resource is referred to as “unbundled” legal services, where attorneys are permitted to work with a client on a portion of a legal case, even if they do not handle the entire case. Expanding the “case manager” system, ideally with a well-trained case manager in each court. That B. case manager would interview litigants and either make a referral to legal services providers, recom mend and facilitate alternative dispute resolution, or provide procedural guidance and support if the client chooses to litigate pro se. Encouraging the use of non-lawyer professionals to provide basic law-related services within their C. areas of competency. Helping people involved in uncontested divorces to handle their own cases, by developing an “uncon-D. tested divorce kit” and providing paraprofessional support to guide people through the court process. The.Commission’s.conclusion.is.that.a.little.bit.of.a. Encouraging.attorneys.to.provide.unbundled.services. lawyer.is.better.than.none.at.all ..Keeping.in.mind. in.appropriate.circumstances.will.provide.critically. that.the.ultimate.ideal.is.to.have.full.representation. important.representation.to.many.litigants.who. by.an.attorney.with.a.thorough.and.integrated. otherwise.would.not.have.a.lawyer.at.all ..Addition- knowledge.of.the.client.and.his/her.needs,.the.fact. ally,.building.a.“case.manager”.system.would.be.a. is.that.a.shrinking.percentage.of.the.population.is. cost-effective.way.to.triage.pro.se.cases,.deflecting. financially.able.to.hire.an.attorney.in.that.compre- many.from.the.court.system.and.increasing.the. hensive.manner ..Until.the.day.arrives.when.New. efficiency.of.those.that.remain ..For.certain.legal. Hampshire.can.achieve.the.ideal,.the.judicial.branch. issues,..lay.persons.can.handle.many.tasks.on.their. should.assume.that.pro.se.litigants.are.not.going.to. own,.with.assistance/guidance.from.a.lawyer.or. go.away ..It.needs.to.recognize.that.pro.se.litigants. paraprofessional ..Such.assistance.should.be.made. will.remain.a.part.of.the.process.and.find.ways.to. available,.ranging.from.the.development.of.a.“kit”.(as. support.and.facilitate.those.pro.se.litigants . for.uncontested.divorces).to.guide.people.to.a.clinic. where.attorneys,.in.person,.walk.the.litigant.through. the.necessary.forms.and.other.filings . Recommendation #9 Part.2 All courts in the State of New Hampshire must meet or exceed the requirements for compliance with  federal and state laws pertaining to accessibility (structural and communicative). Currently one courthouse is not accessible for people with walking disabilities and a majority of court buildings in the state have some areas that are not accessible. All court facilities shall have provisions for: Compliance with all applicable building codes for the removal of all structural barriers that prevent A. or impede physical access. The deployment and usage of effective and accessible methods of communication such as NH Relay, B. Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TTY), Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), Computer Assisted Real-time Translation services (CART), Video Relay Services (VRS), accessible (508-compliant) websites and alternative formats for all printed materials (large print, Braille, audio-tape and computer disk). The removal of language barriers for non-English speaking citizens by providing translation services, C. oral or American Sign Language interpreters, and translated written materials. Discrete sources of funding for communication access and annual disability sensitivity training. D. Accessible.court.facilities.are.required.by.federal.law,. Title.II.of.the.Americans.with.Disabilities.Act ..In.May. of.2004.this.law.was.upheld.by.the.U .S ..Supreme. Court.(Tennessee.v ..Lane) ..The.following.laws.require. accessible.buildings.and.programs: • The.Rehabilitation.Act.—.Section.504 • The.Americans.with.Disabilities.Act.. – Title.II.Regulations. – Title.III.Regulations. – The.ADA.Standards.for.Accessible.Design • The.New.Hampshire.State.Building.Code.—.NH. RSA.155-A. • The.New.Hampshire.State.Fire.Code.—.NH.RSA. 153:5 • The.Architectural.Barrier-Free.Design.Code.for. the.State.of.New.Hampshire Recommendation # 10 Effective.and.Accessible.Methods.of.Communication. are.required.by.the.following.laws: • The.Rehabilitation.Act.of.1973.—.Nondiscrimina-tion.on.the.basis.of.a.disability.—.Section.504 • Electronic.and.Information.Technology. Access.—.Section.508.of.the.Rehabilitation.Act... • Title.II.of.the.Americans.with.Disabilities.Act. • Title.VI.of.the.U .S ..Civil.Rights.Act • The.Telecommunications.Act.of.1996. • New.Hampshire.Interpreter.Law.RSA.521-A. • NH.Interpreter.Licensure.Law.RSA.326-I See.Appendix.G.for.reference.material.and.state. contacts.for.compliance The Commission recommends that the small claims jurisdiction of the District Courts be increased from $5,000 to $10,000. This.recommendation.to.increase.the.limit.on.small.claims.is.intended.to.reflect.economic.changes.since.that. limit.was.increased.to.$5,000 . Part.3 Recommendation #11 The judicial branch should recognize the effectiveness of the limited Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs presently in existence and recognize the potential for further improvement. The judicial branch should review the existing Dispute ADR programs and dedicate leadership, energy and resources to the construction, operation and review of existing and additional ADR systems. With well-es-tablished lines of authority and accountability, ADR systems could help increase Resoluti on the efficiency of the judicial branch in serving the needs of the public. The.oldest.ADR.system.(Rule. improve.public.confidence.in.the.ability.of.the.judicial. 170).has.been.successful. branch.to.resolve.disputes .. in.resolving.50.to.65.percent.of.civil.cases.despite.a. lack.of.funding,.supervision.resources.and.encourage- The.Commission’s.Concord.listening.session.included. ment.from.the.judicial.branch ..That.level.of.success,. a.plea.for.ADR.systems.for.juveniles,.where.ap-Part.3 however,.is.declining ..With.proper.staffing,.resources. propriate ..One.system.for.juveniles.exists.in.Belknap. training,.education.and.oversight,.the.ADR.system. County,.which.diverts.about.50.cases.per.year ..That. can.be.revised.where.necessary,.new.programs. program.has.existed.since.2002,.and.has.an.80.per- added.and.existing.programs.expanded.to.be.avail- cent.successful.completion.rate ..The.Belknap.County. able.across.the.entire.court.system ..Such.revision.has. program.emphasizes.community.and.parental. the.potential.to.reduce.conflict,.decrease.costs.and. involvement.and.focuses.on.restitution.in.cases.where. property.damage.is.an.issue . Recommendation #12 The judicial branch should establish an Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution, institutionalizing ADR in the judicial branch. The Office should be responsible for overseeing the development, administration and monitoring of all court-annexed ADR programs. In addition, the Office should be responsible for establishing system-wide standards of conduct for mediators; developing criteria for training and qualifications of mediators; and collaborating with other individuals and organizations, including governmental agencies, to increase access to dispute resolution services. To.effectively.manage.existing.ADR.programs.and. foster.greater.use.of.ADR,.the.judicial.branch.must. establish.an.ADR.office.responsible.for.these.tasks .. Without.such.an.office,.no.direct.responsibility.exists. for.the.development.of.new.programs,.monitoring.of. existing.programs,.and.establishing.ADR.standards. of.practice ..This.failure.results.in.poorly.managed. programs ..These.problems.can.be.overcome.with.the. Recommendation #13 creation.of.an.office.charged.with.monitoring.and. evaluating.existing.programs.and.developing.new. ones ..In.addition,.the.creation.of.an.Office.of.Alterna-tive.Dispute.Resolution.will.allow.the.Supreme.Court. to.establish.broad,.court-wide.ADR.policy,.ensuring. system-wide.adherence.to.its.policies,.including. increased.use.of.ADR .. The Commission recommends that the judicial branch update and improve the current volunteer ADR program in Superior Court (the Rule 170 Program). The program should be updated and made mandatory in all counties. Deficiencies in its current administration must be addressed. The program should re-examine the use of volunteer mediators and consider ways to enhance the contributions, recruitment and retention of high-quality volunteers, while also considering the use of paid mediators. The.Rule.170.Program.is.in.a.state.of.slow.decline .. The.settlement.rates.are.declining.from.a.high.of. 75.percent.in.2001.to.the.current.rate.of.approxi-mately.40.percent ..Rule.170.is.the.oldest.of.the.New. Hampshire.dispute.resolution.programs.and.does.not. reflect.knowledge.of.best.practices.gained.over.the. 14.years.since.its.inception ..Many.litigants.are.opting. out.of.the.program.because.of.the.lack.of.skills.of. volunteer.mediators .. In.addition,.the.sole.reliance.on.volunteers.has. hindered.the.expansion.of.the.civil.mediation. program.statewide.because.of.an.inadequate.number. of.volunteer.attorneys ..In.fact,.it.is.becoming.harder. for.some.courts.to.find.attorneys.willing.to.mediate.in. the.five.courts.where.the.program.is.mandatory ..The. judicial.branch.needs.to.explore.methods.to.revitalize. Rule.170.volunteerism.and.should.explore.the.use. of.paid.mediators,.maintaining.the.availability.of. low-cost.mediation . Recommendation #14 Newer.programs.in.the.Probate,.Family.and.District. Courts.reflect.the.changing.need.for.paid,.profes-sional.mediators.who.are.dedicated.to.improving. their.skills ..In.these.courts,.mediators.are.hired. for.their.skills.and.paid.for.their.services ..These. programs.have.higher.settlement.rates,.greater.party. satisfaction.and.fewer.complaints .. To.achieve.these.benefits.in.Superior.Court,.the. program.must.be.updated.and.given.priority.within. the.judicial.branch ..This.initiative.would:. • Increase.party.satisfaction.with.the.legal. process; • Provide.affordable.justice.to.the.parties; • Reduce.protracted.and.bitter.litigation; • Empower.parties.to.make.decisions.reducing. future.litigation.between.the.same.parties; • Improve.court.efficiency . The Family Division should make available to pro se litigants critical information about the court process, the availability of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and the impact of family conflict on Part.3 children as early in the process of a family case as possible. Such measures could improve the efficiency and reduce the adversarial nature of the process. Procedures to provide this information and support should include access to case managers by all pro se litigants, requirement of timely attendance at Child Impact Seminars, and the expanded use of technology to provide information about the court process, including ADR, at the outset of a case. For.many.pro.se.litigants.in.family.cases,.that.case. is.their.first.contact.with.the.court.system ..It.is.in. the.interest.of.all.that.this.first.contact.be.respectful. and.reassuring ..Pro.se.litigants.benefit.from.early. access.to.knowledge.and.information.about.court. conduct,.rules.and.procedures;.all.available.methods. of.handling.disputes;.and.the.effect.that.parental. disputes.have.on.families ..Basic.information.on. these.topics.can.be.made.readily.available.to.these. litigants.through.the.use.of.case.managers ..Case. managers.are.trained.court.personnel.who.meet.with. pro.se.litigants.as.soon.as.possible.after.the.case. is.filed.to:.(a).ensure.that.litigants.understand.the. court.process,.accurately.complete.court.forms,.and. are.prepared.for.hearings;.(b).foster.communication. between.the.pro.se.individual.and.counsel.represent-ing.the.other.litigant;.(c).assist.the.pro.se.litigant.in. the.preparation.of.financial.information.in.order.to. use.the.court’s.time.most.efficiently;.and.(d).direct. the.litigants.to.ADR.or.other.services ..Currently.there. are.only.five.case.managers.in.the.Family.Division ..As. the.Family.Division.expands.statewide,.the.number.of. case.managers.should.be.increased.to.ensure.ready. availability.to.all.pro.se.litigants .. In.addition.to.case.managers.as.a.resource.for.pro.se. family.litigants,.much.of.the.basic.information.about. court.process.and.services.could.be.made.available. economically.and.efficiently.through.websites.and. other.technologies,.including.DVDs.or.CDs ..Each. Family.Division.court.site.should.have.a.computer. station.available.to.the.public.to.provide.access.to. the.court.website.for.information.and.forms .. The.Child.Impact.Seminar.is.required.for.all.family. litigants.with.children ..However,.currently.litigants. can.postpone.attendance.until.the.court.process. is.complete,.which.is.often.much.too.late.for.the. seminar.to.have.meaningful.effect ..The.value.of. the.seminar.would.be.maximized.if.litigants.were. required.to.complete.it.at.the.very.beginning.of.the. case ..Required.early.attendance.should.help.reduce. the.occurrence.of.common.adversarial.parental. behavior.that.is.profoundly.damaging.to.children . Part.4 Family Courts Recommendation #15 The judicial branch should support the statewide expansion of the Family Division during the transition period by providing sufficient staff resources, including judges, marital masters and support staff; and by training staff on family issues. Adequate staff and training resources are necessary to ensure the successful expansion of the Family Division while maintaining sufficient resources for the Superior, Probate and District Courts to meet their responsi bilities during the transition. The.transition.to.a.statewide.Family.Division.over. the.next.several.years.will.be.greatly.enhanced.by. training.staff.on.family.issues ..Knowledge.of.and. sensitivity.to.family.issues.are.key.determinates.of. client.satisfaction.and.effective.practice ..In.addition,. the.reorganization.and.reassignment.of.staff.as.part. of.the.expansion.of.the.Family.Division.is.a.consider-able.undertaking ..Adequate.staff.resources.must. Recommendation #16 be.provided.to.support.both.the.transition.and.the. ongoing.operations.of.the.judicial.branch.during.the. period.of.transition ..This.recommendation.reflects. the.Commission’s.conviction.that.the.judicial.branch. already.has.the.legislative.mandate.and.the.admin-istrative.authority.to.allocate.adequate.resources.to. the.Family.Division.expansion .. The Family Division should actively and creatively research and experiment with all reasonable forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to expand the availability and use of ADR in Family Division cases. According.to.the.New.Hampshire.Supreme.Court. Task.Force.on.Self-Representation,.more.that.70. percent.of.marital.cases.involve.at.least.one.self-rep-resented.party ..The.remaining.Family.Division.cases. involve.an.equally.high.or.higher.percentage.of.self-represented.parties ..Each.of.the.major.reports.issued. Part.4 by.various.legislative.and.court.committees.has.  recommended.the.increased.use.of.ADR.in.family-related.cases ..The.Commission.strongly.supports.the. goal.of.decreasing.the.adversarial.nature.of.family. cases ..Sensitive.issues.related.to.the.well-being.of. children.cannot.be.best.resolved.in.an.atmosphere.of. hostility ..The.Commission.also.feels.strongly.that.the. use.of.ADR.should.not.begin.and.end.with.tradition-ally.accepted.forms,.such.as.mediation.and.neutral. case.evaluation ..While.these.are.critically.important. and.should.be.expanded.to.all.cases.(not.just.those. involving.children).the.Commission.urges.the.Family. Division.to.be.creative.in.its.attempt.to.offer.a. non-adversarial.process.through.which.families.can. resolve.disputes.by.agreement.rather.than.by.court. order ..Initiatives.such.as.the.First.Appearance,.use.of. parenting.coordinators,.and.the.availability.of.Child. Impact.Programs.offered.at.court.locations.on.the. same.days.that.divorcing.parents.are.scheduled.for. hearings.reflect.the.types.of.creative.thought.and. experimentation.that.the.Commission.believes.should. continue.as.a.priority.of.the.judicial.branch ..While. the.Commission.is.aware.of.the.efforts.of.the.judicial. branch.to.advance.ADR.at.all.court.levels,.it.urges. that.a.special.emphasis.be.placed.on.the.Family. Division ..ADR.holds.the.greatest.potential.for.positive. change.in.the.current.family.law.process . Recommendation #17 The Commission recommends that the judicial branch critically review its use of guardians ad litem in family cases in light of the statewide expansion of the Family Division and its increased use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The Commission further recommends that all guardians ad litem receive more comprehensive training and supervision than is presently the case and that the cost of services provided by guardians at litem be thoroughly examined. With.the.statewide.expansion.of.the.Family.Division. the.system,.the.Commission.strongly.recommends. and.its.emphasis.on.one.case/one.judge.and.on.the. that.the.judicial.branch.place.this.topic.on.a.list.of. increased.and.creative.use.of.ADR,.it.is.crucial.that. concerns.that.require.further.review.and.examina-the.judicial.branch.examine.how,.when,.and.why. tion ..Possible.strategies.to.address.concerns.about. guardians.ad.litem.are.appointed.in.family.cases .. guardians.ad.litem.in.family.cases.include,.but.are. not.limited.to:. The.complex.issues.of.how.to.address.concerns.about. • the.role,.cost,.training,.supervision.and.discipline.of. guardians.ad.litem.have.been.examined.by.a.number. of.legislative,.judicial.and.other.public.entities.in.the. • past.ten.years ..It.was.beyond.the.scope.of.the.work.of. this.Commission.to.make.definitive.recommendations. • about.possible.solutions.to.these.issues ..However,. because.of.the.public.concerns.with.aspects.of. Recommendation # 18 Part.5 Effective sentencing practices require a significant degree of coordination and Sentencing consultation among policy-makers, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, corrections officials and others. The judicial branch should establish a standing committee to develop, implement and advocate for a just and cost-effective sentencing strategy for the state. The.Commission’s.Sentencing.Research.Group.heard. The.Interbranch.Commission.on.Criminal.and.Juve- from.state.legislators,.District.and.Superior.Court. nile.Justice.addressed.these.issues.in.the.past,.but. judges,.prosecutors,.defense.lawyers,.police,.and. has.become.defunct.in.recent.years ..The.Commission. county.and.state.corrections.officials ..The.Research. recommends.that.such.a.group.be.revived ..Among. Group.discovered.that.a.substantial.consensus.exists. its.first.tasks.would.be.to.invite.leading.policy-makers. throughout.these.relevant.professions.about.the. to.a.day.long.information-sharing.session ..At.such.a. challenges.confronting.New.Hampshire.in.the.area. session,.the.extraordinary.learning.experience.shared. of.criminal.sentencing,.and.the.proper.responses.to. by.members.of.the.Sentencing.Research.Group.could. those.challenges ..Given.that.substantial.consensus. be.reproduced.for.the.policy-makers.whose.participa- already.exists.among.professionals.in.the.field,.the. tion.is.essential.to.the.successful.implementation.of. Research.Group.concludes.that.the.most.valuable. reforms.such.as.those.detailed.in.the.recommenda- step.the.court.could.take.is.establishing.and.support-ing.a.forum.in.which.information.can.be.exchanged. tions.below . Part.5 and.implementation.strategies.devised ..  Recommendation # 19 Requiring.that.all.guardians.ad.litem.be. certified.according.to.a.set.of.best.practice. standards; Expanding.the.regulatory.authority.and.funding. for.the.Guardian.ad.Litem.Board; Developing.a.variant.of.the.public.defender/ contract.attorney.model.to.provide.guardian.ad. litem.services.in.family.cases . Pretrial diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration should be uniformly available throughout the State of New Hampshire. Judges,.prosecutors,.defense.attorneys,.police,.and. issues.that.brought.them.in.contact.with.the.criminal. corrections.officials.almost.universally.agree.that.the. justice.system.and,.if.possible,.to.be.educated.and. current.system.of.sentencing.is.neither.cost-effective. rehabilitated,.ultimately.reducing.costs.and.future. nor.does.it.provide.crucial.rehabilitative.programs .. criminal.behavior ..This.is.particularly.true.with.non- Despite.this.agreement,.the.state.has.been.unable.to. violent.first.offenders ..Studies.clearly.establish.that. address.this.issue.in.a.meaningful.way ..The.Commis- effective.diversion.programs.reduce.recidivism .. sion.believes.that.in.appropriate.cases,.it.is.impera-tive.to.have.alternatives.to.traditional.sentencing. available,.thus.allowing.individuals.to.address.the. Between.1981.and.2003,.New.Hampshire’s.prison. population.grew.by.600.percent,.from.approximately. 1.Richard.A ..Minard,.Jr,.Locked. Up:.Corrections.Policy.in.New. Hampshire,.Paper.2,.February. 2004,.and.Douglas.Hall,.Six. Program.Fueled.State.Spend-ing.Increases,.1993-2003,. NH.Center.for.Public.Policy. Studies . 2.Ibid . 3.Ibid . 4.Ibid . 5.Katherine.Merrow.and. Richard.Minard,.Under.the. Influence.Part.1,.pp ..3.and. 22,.and.Under.the.Influence. Part.2,.p ..47,.NH.Center.for. Public.Policy.Studies,.October. 2002.and.February.2003 . 350.to.2500.inmates,.largely.driven.by.legislation. passed.in.1982.increasing.the.length.of.time. offenders.serve.for.their.crimes,.and.by.the.incarcera-tion.and.re-incarceration.of.parole.and.probation. violators .1.During.this.time.the.Department.of. Corrections’.operating.budget.rose.from.$5.million.to. $79.million .2.It.was.the.third-fastest.growing.govern-ment.function.supported.by.the.state’s.general.fund .3. The.counties.spent.$33.million.on.county.houses.of. correction.in.2001,.of.which.only.one.percent.was. devoted.to.treatment ..County.and.state.spending.on. incarceration.in.FY.2001.totaled.$102.million,.while. spending.on.alternatives.to.incarceration.totaled.$16. million .4.New.Hampshire.spends.millions.to.house. offenders.whose.substance.abuse.issues.contributed. to.their.criminal.behavior.But.these.offenders.are. provided.no.substance.abuse.treatment.in.jail.and. are.released.on.parole.or.probation.with.inadequate. treatment.and.supervision ..Making.treatment.a. priority.would.cut.down.on.the.recidivism.rate.and.on. the.overall.cost.of.administering.criminal.justice .. A.percentage.of.those.sentenced.to.prison.need.to. be.incarcerated.for.both.punishment.and.protection. Recommendation # 20 of.the.community.However,.there.are.numerous. inmates.who.are.sentenced.to.jail.because.alterna-tives.to.incarceration.do.not.exist.statewide ..Although. there.are.various.pretrial.diversion.programs.and. alternatives.to.incarceration.throughout.New. Hampshire,.a.consistent.array.of.alternatives.and. sanctions.is.not.available ..Some.of.these.alternatives,. such.as.the.Merrimack.County.FAST.Program.and. the.programs.instituted.in.Strafford.County,.are. successful ..The.Department.of.Corrections.Academy. Program.has.been.shown.to.protect.public.safety.and. be.cost-effective.when.used.instead.of.prison,5..but. is.used.more.in.some.counties.than.in.others ..Some. county.correctional.institutions.have.utilized.elec-tronic.monitoring.with.great.success,.but.monitoring. is.not.available.in.all.counties . New.Hampshire.must.design.and.institute.compre-hensive,.statewide.pretrial.diversion.and.alternative. programs ..These.programs.should.be.designed.to. protect.public.safety,.compensate.victims.of.crime. and.deter.future.criminal.behavior.By.utilizing.these. alternatives,.we.would.rehabilitate.offenders,.save. money.and.reduce.crime . In order to protect public safety and provide thorough monitoring of the rehabilitation efforts of offenders, the judicial branch should work with the Legislature and the Department of Corrections to expand correctional supervision in communities and ensure that New Hampshire has enough probation and parole officers to provide that expanded supervision. The judicial branch should work with the Department of Corrections to ensure that judges are trained to deal with offenders with substance abuse issues in a manner consistent with substance abuse treatment models employed by New Hampshire’s correctional programs. The.judicial.branch.relies.on.Department.of.Correc-Currently,.no.comprehensive.substance.abuse.treat- tions.field.offices.to.provide.effective.supervision.of. ment.model.informs.the.training.of.both.judges.and. probationers.and.parolees.sentenced.in.Superior. Department.of.Corrections.staff ..Providing.training. Court.cases ..However,.these.resources.are.largely. for.judges.on.matters.related.to.the.substance.abuse. unavailable.to.the.District.Courts ..If.District.Court. problems.of.offenders,.and.pairing.that.training.with. judges.were.provided.the.resources.to.order.offend-substance.abuse.treatment.models.employed.by.the. ers.to.be.placed.under.correctional.supervision,. Department.of.Corrections,.will.enable.the.criminal. Part.5 judges.would.get.more.information.from.those. justice.system.to.employ.a.comprehensive.correc- supervisors.more.promptly.about.noncompliant. tional.and.community.approach.to.substance.abuse.  offenders,.enabling.a.swifter.community.response. treatment.for.offenders ..This.approach.could.be. to.people.who.pose.a.threat.to.public.safety.This. employed.to.rehabilitate.offenders.who.are.amenable. system.could.also.help.provide.for.the.pretrial. to.substance.abuse.treatment.and.can.be.safely. supervision.of.offenders,.which.can.help.reduce. supervised.in.the.community.and.will.better.enable. county.jail.populations,.and,.in.many.cases,.keep. the.courts.to.deal.with.those.offenders.who.are.not. breadwinners.employed.and.supporting.their.families. amenable.to.treatment.and.who.pose.a.threat.to. while.awaiting.trial . public.safety. 6.Katherine.Merrow.and. Recommendation # 21 ing, and incarceration. Substance.abuse.is.present.in.75.to.85.percent.of. New.Hampshire.criminal.offenders.and.is.a.contrib-uting.factor.in.a.wide.variety.of.crime ..Alcohol.and. drug-related.crimes.committed.during.2001.alone. cost.New.Hampshire.approximately.$144.million .. Although.research.shows.that.appropriate.treatment. reduces.alcohol.and.drug.use.and.criminal.behavior,. such.treatment.is.often.unavailable ..Of.an.esti-mated.12,700.offenders.in.need.of.substance.abuse. intervention.during.2001,.New.Hampshire’s.publicly. funded.treatment.system.had.the.capacity.to.serve. only.4,700,.leaving.approximately.8,000.offenders. with.no.treatment.unless.they.purchased.it.through. the.private.market .6 Successful.treatment.of.substance.abuse.is.a.major. factor.in.reducing.recidivism ..There.is.probably.no. Recommendation #22 New Hampshire should provide appropriate, timely, and adequate treatment for substance abuse at all phases of the interface of individuals with the criminal justice system, including pretrial, post-sentenc- The State of New Hampshire should provide adequate space in its sex offender treatment program so that offenders are able to complete the program while serving their prescribed sentences rather than having to extend time in prison to complete this requirement. Many.inmates.are.incarcerated.beyond.their.required. unable.to.enter.the.program ..Those.inmates.will.not. terms.because.they.cannot.gain.admission.to.their. complete.the.program.before.their.parole.eligibility. court-ordered.sex.offender.treatment.program.due. dates ..Hence.taxpayers.and.the.prison.system.end. to.inadequate.program.capacity ..Currently,.there. up.spending.more.money.on.incarceration.than.they. are.approximately.300.inmates.on.the.waiting.list. would.by.expanding.the.treatment.program.to.meet. the.need .. Recommendation #23 more.significant.investment.that.New.Hampshire. could.make.to.cut.down.crime,.recidivism,.and.the. expenses.related.to.crime.and.incarceration.than.to. assure.that.appropriate.substance.abuse.programs. are.available.at.each.stage.of.the.criminal.justice. process,.and.that.those.who.are.incarcerated.can. receive.treatment.during.the.terms.of.their.sentence .. New.Hampshire.is.considering.building.a.new. secure.prison.facility ..The.Commission.believes. that.the.state.should.consider.instead.investing.in. the.establishment.of.a.substance.abuse.program. of.excellence.that.addresses.needs.present.in.all. aspects.of.the.criminal.justice.system,.including.a. residential.treatment.facility ..That.we.currently.do.not. have.a.substance.abuse.program.at.the.state.prison,. but.rather.an.“education”.program,.is.a.significant. missed.opportunity .. Richard.Minard,.Under.the. Influence.Part.1,.pp ..3.and. 22,.and.Under.the.Influence. Part.2,.p ..47,.New.Hampshire. Center.for.Public.Policy. Studies,.October.2002.and. February.2003 . The judicial branch should expand the use of a problem-solving justice model in dealing with mental health issues, certain drug offenses, and other family-related legal problems when it can do so consistent with public safety. Part.5 New Hampshire’s successful experiments with drug courts in a number of locations and with a mental  health court in Cheshire County warrant an expanded, statewide problem-solving approach to certain carefully defined matters which come before the judiciary, particularly those matters involving nonviolent, first-time offenders. This problem-solving approach can result in more successful long-term solutions for certain drug offenses, or in cases where there are significant mental health issues or family-related problems. These cases are among the most difficult in the judicial branch’s caseload, and this approach can pay off in reduced recidivism and more efficient use of judicial time and energy. Across.the.country,.drug.courts,.mental.health.courts,. ated.by.an.impartial.judge,.according.to.agreed-upon. domestic.violence.courts,.and.some.forms.of.family. rules.and.procedures ..Under.a.problem-solving. courts.have.earned.support.because.of.their.success. model,.the.focus.is.on.treatment.for.the.defendant’s. at.resolving.chronic.underlying.causes.of.criminal. underlying.problems.and.the.outcome.of.that. or.other.inappropriate.behavior ..Under.a.problem-treatment,.i .e ..adjusted.behavior ..While.traditional. solving.approach,.judges.can.mandate.treatment.or. proceedings.focus.on.past.behavior.and.its.conse-therapy.for.defendants .. quences,.a.problem-solving.approach.is.directed.at. current.and.future.behavior ..In.cases.in.which.an. The.traditional.role.of.courts.and.judges.is.to.provide. underlying.medical,.psychological,.or.social.problem. a.fair.process,.through.an.adversarial.forum,.moder- that.resulted.in.criminal.behavior.could.be.resolved. through.such.an.approach,..the.judicial.branch. should.employ.the.problem-solving.model,.when.they. can.do.so.while.maintaining.public.safety .. Advantages of a Problem-Solving Approach • The.problem-solving.justice.approach.is.effective .. Studies.of.drug.courts,.for.example,.show.that.drug. court.programs.reduce.recidivism.by.an.average. of.13.percent ..Drug.courts.successfully.treat. thousands.of.substance-abusing.individuals.each. year ..Such.programs.are.more.cost-efficient.than. incarceration,.ease.prison.overcrowding.and.have. the.effect.of.reducing.the.number.of.drug-exposed. infants.and.children.(thus.avoiding.associated. medical.costs) ..Other.types.of.treatment.courts. have.had.similarly.successful.outcomes .. • Problem-solving.programs.require.and.promote. systemic.collaboration ..Treatment.providers,. local.governments,.law.enforcement,.prosecu-tion,.defense.counsel,.private.counsel,.multiple. state.agencies.and.the.courts.are.all.required.to. Recommendation #24 communicate.and.cooperate.in.order.to.run.these. programs ..This.process.of.collaboration.has.the. potential.to.develop.good.will.and.institutional. relationships.that.benefit.the.judicial.branch.in. multiple.ways.for.years.to.come . • Defendants.are.held.accountable ..The.system. demands.respect.and.gets.compliance .. Defendants.—.whether.drug.addicts,.mental.health. patients,.abusive.parents.or.cohabitants.or.teen. smokers.—.comply.with.the.orders.of.the.court.or. face.the.consequences:.frequently.the.imposition.of. a.sentence.for.an.already-entered.guilty.plea . • Public.appreciation.for.the.judiciary.increases .. Examples.of.personal.triumph.over.adversity,. of.caring.and.dedicated.judges,.and.of.firm.but. compassionate.programs.—.all.in.the.context.of. public.safety.—.go.a.long.way.toward.developing. public.trust.and.confidence.in.the.judiciary ..The. resulting.atmosphere.of.success.and.satisfaction. without.the.grind.of.the.adversarial.process.also. rejuvenates.judges.and.energizes.staff . The State of New Hampshire should work to ensure that women who are incarcerated in New Hampshire are provided comparable conditions of confinement and equal educational, vocational, treatment and rehabilitative opportunities as men. Based.upon.testimony.and.evidence.received.by.the. Commission’s.Sentencing.Research.Group,.it.is.clear. that.women.who.are.incarcerated.in.New.Hampshire. have.fewer.educational.and.vocational.programs,.less. treatment.and.inadequate.and.inequitable.rehabilita-tive.services.available.to.them.than.male.inmates.do .. Female.state.prison.inmates.are.housed.in.a.facility. that.is.widely.viewed.as.inadequate ..The.population. of.women.prisoners.in.the.New.Hampshire.State. Prison.system.grew.from.23.in.1983.to.182.in.2003,. an.increase.of.close.to.700.percent ..According.to.a. study.conducted.by.the.New.Hampshire.Commis- Part.5 sion.on.the.Status.of.Women.(“Double.Jeopardy,”. December.2004),.in.2000.the.New.Hampshire. Department.of.Corrections.reported.spending.$4,564. less.annually.per.female.inmate.as.compared.with. male.inmates.at.the.New.Hampshire.State.Prison.for. Men.and.$1,906.less.annually.compared.to.inmates. at.the.Northern.New.Hampshire.Correctional. Facility.at.Berlin ..That.study’s.authors.emphasized. the.significance.of.this.finding.further,.showing.that. women.are.more.expensive.than.men.to.incarcerate,. largely.due.to.increased.medical.costs.and.the.need. for.more.intensive.therapy.interventions . The.New.Hampshire.State.Prison.for.Women.in. Goffstown.has.no.on-site.medical.unit,.is.out.of. compliance.with.American.Correctional.Association. accreditation.standards.for.cell.space,.lacks.adequate. space.for.appropriate.therapeutic.rehabilitative.train-ing.and.educational.programs.and.lacks.adequate. accommodations.for.attorney.and.family.visits ..As. the.Commission.on.the.Status.of.Women.study.found,. the.large.majority.of.female.inmates.are.low-risk,. non-violent.offenders ..They.occupy.expensive.prison. space.better.reserved.for.violent.offenders.who.pose.a. clear.and.present.danger.to.public.safety ..Additionally,. without.effective.rehabilitation,.inmates.released.into. the.community.face.the.same.set.of.risks.and.motiva-tions.—.addiction,.mental.illness.and.poverty.—.that.led. to.criminal.behavior.and.incarceration . Recommendation #25 Part.6 The Commission urges the judicial branch and judges of trial courts to more actively educate the New Hampshire citizenry about the importance of a vital and independent judiciary. This is the responsibility of each judge and marital master. The.Commission.believes.that.there.is.great.value. in.strengthening.general.public.understanding.of. the.complementary.and.balancing.roles.of.the.three. branches.of.New.Hampshire.state.government ..The. judiciary,.as.the.one.unelected.branch.of.government,. has.a.particular.interest.in.furthering.such.under-standing.by.working.cooperatively.with.the.leaders. of.the.other.branches.to.engage.in.civic.education. programs.that.would.serve.to.enhance.the.coopera-tion.and.respect.among.the.branches ..The.judiciary. should.take.the.lead.in.examining.the.feasibility.of. organizing.a.statewide.series.of.symposia.on.the. topic.of.“Your.Government.and.How.it.Works .”.Ideally. this.series.(in.schools,.town.halls.and.community. centers).would.feature.informal.presentations.by.the. governor,.legislative.leaders.and.the.chief.justice. followed.by.dialogue.and.discussion.amongst.the. government.leaders.and.the.public .. The.judicial.branch.is.the.unique.part.of.a.set.of.in-terdependent.governing.institutions ..The.uniqueness. of.the.judiciary.is.that.it.alone.among.the.governing. institutions.is.unelected ..The.governor,.members.of. the.General.Court,.and.executive.councilors.restore. and.recharge.their.standing.with.the.electorate.every. Recommendation #26 two.years.via.the.vote .. The.unelected.judiciary,. appointed.for.life.on.good. behavior,.is.the.democratic. and.republican.anomaly ..It. is.a.“democratic”.anomaly. because.of.its.appointive. (albeit.with.Executive.Council.approval).nature ..It.is.a. “republican”.anomaly.because.in.an.elected-represen- tative.system.of.government,.judges.are.appointed,. essentially.for.professional.“life,”.for.reasons.of. affiliations,.beliefs,.and.the.high.qualities.of.their. professional.and.legal.standings ..Put.differently,. the.judiciary.is.the.unrepresentative.branch.of.our. government ..Its.standing.in.our.representational,. majority-rule.democracy.is.therefore.more.tenuous .. Further,.it.is.precisely.following.occasions.when. controversial.and.enduring.conflicts.come.to.a.head,. in.cases.such.as.the.Claremont.school-funding.case,. that.members.of.the.judicial.branch.must.redouble. their.efforts.in.setting.out.their.reasoning.and. interpreting.their.decisions.to.those.most.affected,.in. this.case,.the.tax-paying.voters . Judicial Branch Outreach The Commission recommends that the judicial branch initiate a vigorous educational outreach campaign on multiple fronts to address the lack of broad public understanding about the judicial branch that exists among a significant portion of New Hampshire citizens. The Commission recommends that a staff position within the judicial branch be created to establish and administer this outreach program. Linkage with We The People, Kids Voting New Hampshire and other public school programs should be employed to explain the court system and make it more relevant to this group of soon-to-be-served citizens. It.is.apparent.that.New.Hampshire’s.judicial.branch. to.educate.the.public.on.how.it.works,.how.it.plans. is.a.mystery.to.most.citizens ..This.is.a.barrier.to.effec-tive.use.of.the.courts ..The.public.must.understand.the. value,.role.and.limits.of.the.system .. to.change,.and.also.on.its.limitations.and.on.its. relevance.to.today’s.needs .. The.judicial.branch.website.(wwwcourts .state .nh .us).  Part.6 According.to.a.study.conducted.by.the.University.of. should.provide.information.on.the.outreach.cam- New.Hampshire.Survey.Center.(see.Appendix.C),.only. paign.and.should.be.used.in.the.campaign’s.delivery . four.percent.of.New.Hampshire’s.population.reported. being.very.familiar.with.the.state.courts ..Another. 34.percent.reported.being.somewhat.familiar.with. the.court.system ..It.is.the.remaining.62.percent.of. the.population,.as.well.as.New.Hampshire’s.school. children,.who.need.more.exposure.to.how.the.judicial. branch.operates ..Additionally,.with.73.percent.of. those.surveyed.reporting.that.they.get.most.of. their.information.from.news.media,.more.attention. needs.to.be.paid.to.how.the.courts.are.portrayed.in. New.Hampshire.media ..This.information.gap.is.an. opportunity.for.New.Hampshire’s.judicial.branch. When.the.campaign.is.unveiled,.key.leaders.of.the. judiciary.should.be.its.spokespeople.and.should. explain.their.own.efforts.to.make.the.judicial.branch. more.user-friendly ..Each.judge.should.be.engaged.in. this.campaign.either.as.a.member.of.the.speakers’. bureau.to.present.speeches.to.strategically.selected. audiences.or.as.a.writer.of.materials.to.facilitate. the.campaign ..Articles.and.speaking.engagements. on.private.and.public.broadcasting.facilities.should. explain.the.history.of.the.courts,.why.they.exist.in. their.current.structure,.and.how.they.are.changing.to. better.serve.the.public . Recommendation #27 The judicial branch must maintain constructive working relationships with executive and legislative branches. The Commission recommends to this end, that: A. The judicial branch continue its activities to develop and maintain constructive working relationships with the leadership of the legislative and executive branches, while incorporating procedures and safeguards to promote transparency and minimize risk to the judicial branch’s reputation for decisional independence. B. Specifically, the judicial branch should develop and adopt a written policy statement setting forth the objectives for conducting such outreach activities, outlining the permissible subjects of such activities, stating what subjects will not be pursued through such activities, and establishing a process for selecting the person or persons authorized to conduct such activities on the judicial branch’s behalf. C. The policy statement should be made available to the public. .The.Commission’s.Third.Branch.Committee.appreci-ated.the.opportunity.to.consult.with.Chief.Justice. Broderick,.along.with.the.chief.justice.of.the.Superior. Court,.the.administrative.judge.of.the.Probate.Court,. the.administrative.judge.of.the.District.Court.and. Family.Division,.and.judicial.branch.administrative. officials,.to.learn.about.recent.efforts.to.rebuild.and. strengthen.inter-branch.working.relationships.in. connection.with.judicial.branch.budgeting.and.other. operational.issues .. The.committee.also.met.in.separate.sessions.with.the. Governor,.the.Speaker.of.the.House.and.the.President. of.the.Senate ..In.general,.leaders.of.the.executive.and. legislative.branches.agreed.that.working.relation-ships.had.improved,.and.expressed.approval.of.the. court.system’s.efforts ..However,.certain.cautions. also.were.expressed:.1).Most.advocacy.should.be. conducted.“on”.and.not.“off”.the.record ..2).Court. system.representatives.should.be.consistent,.candid. and.fully.informed ..3).Mechanisms.should.be.set.up. to.invite.opportunities.for.the.executive.and.legisla-tive.branches.to.communicate.with.representatives.of. the.court.system .. There.have.been.statements.in.the.media.suggesting. that.the.judicial.branch’s.decisional.independence. has.somehow.been.compromised.by.its.efforts.to. improve.its.working.relationships.with.the.other. branches.of.government ..Without.accrediting.their. accuracy,.such.statements,.as.well.as.the.constructive. comments.from.the.Governor.and.legislative.leaders,. demonstrate.that.the.judicial.branch’s.improved. inter-branch.outreach.efforts.can.generate.risk.to. the.court.system’s.reputation.for.decisional.indepen-dence,.if.not.pursued.openly.and.carefully .. The.Commission.believes.that.the.judicial.branch’s. reputation.for.decisional.independence.is.fundamen-tal,.and.risk.of.damage.to.that.reputation.must.be. avoided.or.minimized ..The.Commission.concludes. that.a.written.and.publicly.available.policy.statement. for.conducting.the.judicial.branch’s.inter-branch. outreach.activities,.if.well-constructed.and.carefully. adhered.to,.can.improve.the.effectiveness.of.such. activities,.while.at.the.same.time.reducing.the.risk.of. harm.to.its.reputation.for.decisional.independence . Part.6 Recommendation #28 The Commission recommends the retention of RSA 9:4-a, that outlines the current budget process, but believes that: A. The judicial branch would benefit from consulting with the governor’s budget director to obtain the governor’s advice and expertise in preparing its budget for submission to the Legislature. B. The judicial branch should voluntarily participate in the governor’s budget hearings to give the Governor, the Legislature, and the public an additional opportunity to understand the judicial branch’s budget. Pursuant.to.RSA.9:4-a,.the.chief.justice.of.the. Supreme.Court.submits.the.judicial.branch.budget. to.the.Administrative.Services.commissioner,.who. includes.the.request.in.the.governor’s.budget.for. submission.to.the.Legislature ..The.governor.is.not. permitted.to.alter.the.amounts.requested.by.the. judicial.branch .. The.Commission’s.Third.Branch.Committee.met.with. the.Governor,.the.Speaker.of.the.House.and.the. Senate.President.regarding.the.judicial.branch ..The. leaders.agreed.that.the.judicial.branch.had.greatly. improved.the.information.it.provided.to.them.during. the.budgeting.process,.however,.they.noted.that. the.judicial.branch.would.benefit.from.receiving.the. advice.and.expertise.of.the.governor’s.budget.direc-tor.and.from.participating.in.the.same.process.as. other.agencies.in.preparing.its.budget.for.submission. to.the.Legislature .. Recommendation #29 The Judicial Council should play a role in the follow-up and implementation of this Commission’s recommendations, and the Commission further recommends: A. That the Judicial Council continue its activities to improve the administration of justice in New Hampshire, taking full advantage of its statutory authority to serve as an institutional forum for the ongoing and disinterested consideration of issues affecting the administration of justice, and acting as a conduit for communication between the judicial, executive and legislative branches. B. That the Judicial Council develop and adopt a written policy statement setting forth objectives for the Council to achieve, including serving as a forum for individuals and groups (such as the Citizens Commission on the Courts) to bring matters of concern forward and to agree upon ways to modify practices and procedures to serve the ends of the justice system. C. That the General Court shall provide adequate funding to the Judicial Council as may be necessary and prudent to accomplish these objectives. The.Commission.researched.the.purpose.and.. members.appointed.by.the.chief.justice.of.the. objectives.of.the.Judicial.Council,.including.the. Supreme.Court .. statutory.authority.outlined.in.RSA.494:.The.Judicial. Council ..The.Judicial.Council.was.established.by. In.recent.years,.the.activities.of.the.Judicial.Council. the.Legislature.in.1945.“to.serve.as.an.institutional. have.focused.on.administration.of.funding.for.both. forum.for.the.on-going.and.disinterested.consid-criminal.and.civil.legal.assistance.for.disadvantaged. eration.of.issues.affecting.the.administration.of. New.Hampshire.citizens,.as.well.as.on.legislation. justice .”.The.Council.is.comprised.of.five.members. relating.to.the.administration.and.funding.for.legal. of.the.judicial.branch,.the.attorney.general,.a.clerk. assistance.programs .. of.the.Superior.Court.and.a.clerk.of.the.District.and. Municipal.Courts,.the.president-elect.of.the.New. The.Commission.suggests.that.the.Judicial.Council.is. Hampshire.Bar.Association,.the.chairs.of.the.Senate. the.appropriate.forum.for.inclusion.and.administra- and.House.Judiciary.Committees,.eight.members. tion.of.these.recommendations.for.improvement . appointed.by.the.governor.and.council,.and.five.. Recommendation #30 The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should issue an interim report to the full Commission within six months of the submission of this report, and a final report on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Commission’s report within one year. Part.6 2 Minority Report 7.Many.legal.issues.affect.large. numbers.of.people.in.similar. ways ..Some.of.these.can.be. efficiently.addressed.by.the. recruitment.of.a.panel.of. private.lawyers.who.would. be.willing,.pro.bono,.to. bring.a.systemic.challenge. to.particular.procedures.or. practices ..The.private.bar. would.not.ordinarily.accept. such.cases,.because.they. require.a.large.investment.of. unpaid.attorney.time ..But.in. the.spirit.of.public.service,.we. believe.a.number.of.attorneys. would.be.willing.to.cooperate. with.the.Citizens’.Advocate. and.accept.cases.that.could. potentially.benefit.a.great. many.people.who.otherwise. could.not.afford.legal.repre-sentation ..This.could.greatly. increase.the.enforceability.of. legal.rights.beyond.what.the. current.staff.of.legal.services. organizations.can.provide . Minority.Report The Commission provided all Commissioners with the opportunity to file minority reports. In order to print a minority report within the body of this report, the Commission co-chairmen decided that ten commissioners must sign onto any report filed as a minority report. One minority report, submitted by Commissioner Ralph Littlefield, was additionally endorsed by Commissioners Albert Leahy, Alan Cantor, Clyde Terry, Sally Davis, Gail Barba, Paul Clements, Cheryl Killam, Elizabeth Lown, John Hennessey, Hon. James Barry, and Claudia Nixon. Originally this minority report was presented as a recommendation by the Public Access Research Committee chaired by Mr. Littlefield. A majority of the Commission voted on March 20, 2006 to table this recommendation without further consideration. The full minority report is as follows: The.judicial.branch.should.study.the.need.for.the.creation.of.an.Office.of.the.Citizens.Advocate ..This.Office. would.provide.an.ongoing.mechanism.for.citizen.input.to.the.New.Hampshire.judicial.branch.as.it.continues. to.improve.services.that.address.the.needs.of.the.general.public ..If.the.judicial.branch.concludes.that.the. interests.of.the.citizens.would.be.served.by.such.an.advocate,.then.it.should.take.steps,.legislative.or.other-wise,.towards.implementation . This minority report recommends the following: 1. The judicial branch should seriously consider the creation of an Office of the Citizens’ Advocate, to assure that the legal system is addressing the needs of average residents of New Hampshire. The Citizens’ Advocate would be modeled after the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Advocate. 2. The Citizens’ Advocate would work with an Advisory Board comprised of New Hampshire citizens. The Advisory Board’s charge would be to represent the public by providing advice and feedback to the Citizens’ Advocate and the Court System on issues that affect citizens’ access to the courts. For example, the Advocate and its Board would continue the work of the present New Hampshire Citizens Commission, as a support to the chief justice as he proceeds with his review, consideration and implementation of those recommendations adopted from the New Hampshire Citizens Commission’s Report. 3. The Citizens’ Advocate would work to assure that the New Hampshire judicial branch continue its efforts to meet the legal needs of New Hampshire’s citizens. The Office would monitor the system and advise the judicial branch about procedural changes that might be implemented to continue to improve efficiency and make the courts more consumer-friendly. 4. The Advocate would also evaluate trends in legal issues and court results which might have widespread impact on litigants and the general citizenry. The Advocate’s Office could then recruit volunteer attorneys willing to take on systemic advocacy on behalf of average citizens.7 5. The judicial branch could also study the need to empower the Office of Citizens’ Advocate to bring cases on its own, in order to address the needs of New Hampshire’s citizens regarding particular issues they could not otherwise afford to address. 6. The Office of the Citizens’ Advocate and its Advisory Board might also conduct periodic, systematic studies of legal needs that are not presently being addressed across the state. The Citizens’ Advocate could then lead the effort to make the necessary solutions a reality. In.order.to.obtain.a.fair.resolution.to.their.legal. mission.(and.other.groups).are.doing.sustainable.into. issues,.average.people.need.access.to.a.lawyer.to. the.future ..The.Citizens’.Advocate.could.be.modeled. advise.them.on.their.rights.and.duties,.and.to.assist. on.the.Public.Utilities.Commission.(PUC).Consumer. them.in.advocating.for.their.legal.interests ..New. Advocate.(for.utility.issues),.or.on.similar.programs. Hampshire’s.system.of.legal.assistance.was.created. adopted.in.other.states.(sometimes.called.“Public. to.assist.New.Hampshire’s.low-income.population .. Advocate”.programs) ..The.Citizens’.Advocate.would. But.today,.people.with.moderate.and.middle.incomes. look.at.the.justice.system.through.the.eyes.of.average. are.also.unable.to.afford.private.lawyers.to.represent. people,.and.work.to.assure.that.that.system.meets. them,.and.they.are.ineligible.for.traditional.legal. the.legal.needs.of.average.people .. services.programs . This.minority.report.recommends.that.the.judicial. branch.consider.creating.an.Office.of.the.Citizens’. Advocate,.to.make.the.kind.of.work.our.Citizens.Com- The.Office.of.the.Citizens’.Advocate.should.undertake. a.systematic.study,.in.detail,.of.exactly.what.kinds.of. legal.needs.are.not.being.served.adequately.in.New. Hampshire ..In.which.geographic.areas,.at.which. income.levels,.for.which.types.of.legal.issue,.are.the. unmet.needs.the.greatest?..The.“needs.assessment”. should.not.be.limited.to.the.needs.of.people.who. litigate.pro.se.in.court ..The.study.should.also.include. the.legal.needs.of.people.who.despair.of.even.enter-ing.the.legal.system.because.they.know.they.cannot. afford.to.pay.for.the.legal.representation.necessary. to.have.a.fair.chance.to.vindicate.their.rights ..It.is. well.known.that.family.law.cases.have.a.high.number. of.parties.unable.to.afford.legal.representation ..But. other.legal.problems.no.doubt.exist.where.people. would.be.better.off.if.they.could.obtain.legal.repre-sentation.but.do.not.have.access.to.it.because.of.a. disability.or.financial,.language,.or.cultural.barriers .. The.needs.assessment.would.determine.where.the. needs.are.and.analyze.what.kind.of.solutions.might. best.address.each.particular.need ..The.Citizens’. Advocate.would.then.lead.the.effort,.together.with. the.judicial.branch,.to.make.the.necessary.solutions. a.reality .. In.addition.to.this.needs.assessment,.the.Citizens’. Advocate.could.help.judicial.branch.personnel. understand.what.litigants.are.trying.to.accomplish. in.their.court.positions.and.filings ..This.would.reduce. the.misunderstandings.that.sometimes.arise.where. litigants.are.untrained.in.the.language.or.procedures. of.the.law.and.unable.to.afford.legal.representation .. The.Advocate’s.staff.might.also.be.able.to.refer. litigants.to.an.advocacy.group.or.a.lawyer.providing. “unbundled.legal.services”.(as.recently.approved. by.the.Supreme.Court),.who.can.help.the.litigant.to. express.her/his.claims.in.a.way.that.fits.within.the. framework.of.accepted.legal.principles.so.the.court. can.address.the.real.issues.in.the.case . Through.these.and.other.means,.the.Citizens’.Advo-cate.would.monitor.the.legal.system.and.advise.the. judicial.branch.as.to.whether.there.are.any.systemic. procedural.problems.that.the.judicial.branch.should. address.(like.the.suggestion.for.case.managers.that. has.been.proposed.over.the.last.few.years),.including. changes.that.might.be.necessitated.by.changes.in. New.Hampshire’s.demographics.(e .g .,.the.need.for. language.interpreters.or.the.need.to.accommodate. an.increasing.number.of.elderly.people).or.by.chang-es.in.types.of.cases.filed ..The.Advocate’s.staff.would. also.evaluate.trends.in.legal.issues.and.court.results. which.might.have.widespread.impact.on.litigants.and. the.community ..As.to.the.latter.issues,.the.Advocate’s. Office.might.refer.cases.to.volunteer.attorneys.willing. to.take.on.systemic.advocacy.on.behalf.of.average. citizens,.or.such.issues.could.be.referred.to.advo-cacy.organizations.such.as.New.Hampshire.Legal. Assistance.(if.the.client.is.low-income),.the.Disabilities. Rights.Center.(if.the.client.has.a.disability),.consumer. groups,.etc .,.to.be.approached.from.a.class-wide. or.systemic.perspective ..Such.a.systemic.approach. would.save.the.judicial.branch.and.the.public.from. having.to.expend.all.the.resources.that.would.be. wasted.if.every.individual.brought.her/his.concerns.to. the.court.separately . An.Advisory.Board.representing.the.public.should. be.appointed.to.provide.advice.and.feedback.to.the. Citizens’.Advocate . Minority.Report 2 Appendix A THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE ORDER The.purpose.of.this.order.is.to.clarify.the.authority.of.the.New.Hampshire.Citizens.Commission.on.the.State. Courts,.which.was.established.by.the.Supreme.Court.in.April.2005 . In.the.conduct.of.its.work,.the.Commission.shall.act.independently.of.the.Supreme.Court.and.Judicial.Branch. and.shall.have.the.following.authority: • to.apply.for,.obtain,.and.administer.grant.funds.and.other.contributions.of.money,.goods,.or.services; • to.hire,.set.the.compensation.of,.and.direct.such.persons.as.may.be.necessary.to.assist.the.Commission. in.its.work,.provided.however.that.no.member.of.the.Commission.may.be.so.compensated; • to.prepare.and.administer.its.own.budget.covering.the.expenditure.of.such.grants.and.other.contribu-tions.as.the.Commission.may.receive;.and • to.contract.for.necessary.goods.and.services . All.Commission.meetings,.records,.and.other.events.shall.be.open.to.the.public . July.27,.2005 ..... ..... ..... ATTEST: . Eileen.Fox,.Clerk. . Supreme.Court.of.New.Hampshire Appendix.A 2 Appendix B Commission Members Will.Abbott,.co-chair Holderness,.NH. Michael.J ..Kenison. Manchester,.NH.. Katharine.Eneguess,.co-chair. Jaffrey,.NH. Representative.David.H ..Kidder. New.London,.NH.. Blake.Allen. Plymouth,.NH.. Cheryl.Killam. Concord,.NH.. Attorney.General.Kelly.A ..Ayotte. Concord,.NH.. Representative.William.V ..Knowles. Concord,.NH.. Jonathan.P ..Baird. Claremont,.NH. Mary.Krueger. Concord,.NH.. Gail.Barba. Concord,.NH Rev ..Dale.S ..Kuehne. Manchester,.NH.. Attorney.Kenneth.J ..Barnes. Concord,.NH.. Attorney.Ann.McLane.Kuster. Hopkinton,.N .H .. The.Honorable.James.J ..Barry. Concord,.NH.. The.Honorable.Albert.D ..Leahy,.Jr .. Claremont,.NH.. Dr ..Eugene.E ..Berg. Bedford,.NH.. Ralph.Littlefield. Concord,.NH.. Charles.G ..Bickford. Manchester,.NH.. Elizabeth.Lown. Amherst,.NH.. Anne.B ..Botteri. Manchester,.NH.. Attorney.Tricia.H ..Lucas. Manchester,.NH.. Raymond.Bower. Dover,.NH.. The.Honorable.Robert.J ..Lynn. Concord,.NH.. John.J ..Brady. Manchester,.NH.. Mark.MacKenzie. Hooksett,.NH... Representative.Harriet.E ..Cady. Deerfield,.NH.. The.Honorable.John.R ..Maher. Concord,.NH.. Attorney.Daniel.J ..Callaghan. Manchester,.NH.. Attorney.Marilyn.T ..Mahoney. Manchester,.NH.. Attorney.Michael.R ..Callahan. Concord,.NH.. Virginia.Martin. Concord,.NH.. Alan.M ..Cantor. Bow,.NH.. Attorney.Joseph.M ..McDonough. Manchester,.NH.. Byron.O ..Champlin. Concord,.NH.. Catherine.P ..McDowell*. Gorham,.NH.. Richard.Chevrefils. Concord,.NH.. The.Honorable.James.E ..Michalik. Concord,.NH.. Paul.M ..Clements. Concord,.NH.. US.Marshal.Stephen.R ..Monier.. Goffstown,NH Margo.Connors. Sugar.Hill,.NH.. Michael.A ..Morgan. Barrington,.NH.. John.D ..Crosier,.Sr .. Concord,.NH.. Laurie.Bogart.Morrow Freedom,.NH.. Donna.E ..Davey. Concord,.NH.. John.Moulis. Berlin,.NH.. Sally.Davis. Thornton,.NH.. The.Honorable.Tina.Nadeau. Concord,.NH.. Joseph.Diament. Portsmouth,.NH.. Claudia.D ..Nixon. Concord,.NH.. Ross.A ..Doerr*. Concord,.NH.. The.Honorable.Stephanie.T ..Nute. Concord,.NH.. Ida.Dzuira. Londonderry,.NH.. Danny.H ..O’Brien*. Rye,.NH.. Harland.Eaton. Auburn,.NH.. Jeffrey.B ..Osburn. Manchester,.NH.. Lewis.Feldstein. Concord,.NH.. Michael.Ostrowski. Manchester,.NH.. Attorney.Bruce.W ..Felmly. Manchester,.NH.. Andrew.Peterson. Peterborough,.NH.. Retha.Lindsey.Fielding. Plymouth,.NH... Terri.L ..Peterson. Lancaster,.NH.. Mary.E ..Francoeur. Portsmouth,.NH.. Sheriff.Michael.L ..Prozzo,.Jr .. Newport,.NH.. The.Honorable.Francis.Frasier. Concord,.NH.. Captain.Mark.A ..Putney. Manchester,.NH.. Nina.C ..Gardner. Concord,.NH.. Attorney.James.M ..Reams. Kingston,.NH.. Attorney.Janine.Gawryl. Nashua,.NH.. John.Riley. Manchester,.NH.. Donald.W ..Gendron. Bedford,.NH... The.Honorable.L ..Phillips.Runyon,.III. Concord,.NH.. Larry.Gilpin. Amherst,.NH.. Representative.Gilman.Shattuck. Hillsborough,.NH.. Appendix.B Attorney.Cathy.J ..Green. Manchester,.NH.. Marcia.Sink. Manchester,.NH.. 2 Attorney.Martin.L ..Gross. Concord,.NH.. Dr ..James.W ..Squires. Concord,.NH.. Vera.Peaslee.Haus. Dover,.NH.. Katrina.Swett. Bow,.NH.. Attorney.Peter.Heed. Westmoreland,.NH Gary.Tasker. Loudon,.NH.. Robert.L ..Hemeon. Laconia,.NH Raymond.W ..Taylor. Kingston,.NH.. John.W ..Hennessey,.Jr .. Hanover,.NH.. Rodney.E ..Tenney. Concord,.NH.. Eric.B ..Herr. Bristol,.NH.. Clyde.Terry. Concord,.NH.. The.Honorable.Gary.E ..Hicks. Concord,.NH.. Attorney.John.E ..Tobin,.Jr .. Concord,.NH.. Winnie.Hohlt. Plymouth,.NH.. Marge.Webster. Wolfeboro,.NH.. Steve.Horton. Keene,.NH.. Representative.Michael.Whalley. Alton.Bay,.NH.. Attorney.Christopher.M ..Johnson. Concord,.NH.. Richard.F ..Winters. Meriden,.NH.. Attorney.Christopher.Keating. Concord,.NH.. Attorney.Peter.Y ..Wolfe Newport,.NH. The.Honorable.Edwin.Kelly. Concord,.NH.. * Indicates Commissioner resigned before the decision-making meetings in March 2006. Appendix C Appendix.C 2 1.Special.thanks.go.to.Kathy. Mays,.Peggy.Rogers,.David. Rottman,.and.David.Steelman. of.the.National.Center.for. the.State.Courts.for.their. permission.to.use.this.survey. and.their.assistance.in.this. project . The.complete.report.is.available.at.the.Law.Library.of.the.Supreme.Court.or.online.at.www .nhcitcourts .org . NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COURT SURVEY conducted.for:. New.Hampshire.Citizens.Commission.for.the.State.Courts Prepared.by:. Andrew.E ..Smith,.Ph .D .. The.Survey.Center. University.of.New.Hampshire. November,.2005 The University of New Hampshire Survey Center The.UNH.Survey.Center.is.an.independent,.non-partisan.academic.survey.research.organization.and.a.division. of.the.UNH.Carsey.Institute . The.Survey.Center.conducts.telephone,.mail,.e-mail,.Internet,.and.self-administered.surveys,.as.well.as.focus. groups.and.other.qualitative.research.for.university.researchers,.government.agencies,.public.non-profit. organizations,.private.businesses,.and.media.clients . Our.senior.staff.have.more.than.40.years.experience.in.designing.and.conducting.custom.research.on.a.broad. range.of.political,.social,.health.care,.and.other.public.policy.issues . Dr ..Andrew.E ..Smith,.Director. UNH.Survey.Center. Thompson.Hall. Durham,.New.Hampshire.03824. 603/862-2226.(voice). 603/862-1488.(FAX). Andrew .Smith@unh .edu I. Introduction The.2005.New.Hampshire.State.Court.Survey.was.conducted.by.the.University.of.New.Hampshire.Survey. Center.in.Late.July.and.August.2005 ..The.survey.was.sponsored.by.the.New.Hampshire.Citizens.Commission. for.the.State.Courts . There.were.three.main.purposes.for.the.survey: 1 . to.understand.citizen.knowledge.of.the.New.Hampshire.Court.system, 2 . to.understand.general.citizen.attitudes.about.New.Hampshire’s.courts,.and 3 . to.understand.the.views.of.citizens.who.have.had.recent.experience.with.the.court.system . Telephone.interviews.with.765.randomly.selected.New.Hampshire.adults.were.conducted.between.July.28.and. August.12,.2005.by.the.University.of.New.Hampshire.Survey.Center ..The.margin.of.sampling.error.for.a.survey. of.this.size.is.+/-.3 .5.percent.(see.Chapter.VIII,.Technical.Report,.for.a.more.detailed.description.of.sampling. methods.used) ..Most.of.the.questions.used.in.the.survey.replicated.questions.used.by.the.National.Center.for. the.State.Courts.(NCSC).in.a.national.survey.conducted.in.2000 .1.The.questionnaire.used.in.the.New.Hamp-shire.survey.was.kept.as.identical.to.the.NCSC.survey.as.possible.to.facilitate.comparability . Additional.questions.were.designed.in.conjunction.with.the.Commission.Steering.Committee ..The.Chairs. of.the.New.Hampshire.Citizens.Commission.for.the.State.Courts,.Will.Abbott.and.Kathy.Eneguess,.and.the. Commission.Steering.Committee.guided.the.design.of.the.questionnaire.with.the.active.participation.of.other. Commission.members ..Their.help.in.this.effort.has.been.invaluable ..The.questionnaire.used.in.the.survey.can. be.found.in.Appendix.B.of.the.complete.report.which.is.available.at.the.Law.Library.of.the.Supreme.Court.or. online.at.www .nhcitcourts .org . The.following.report.presents.the.major.findings.of.the.survey ..Significant.demographic.differences.are.noted. in.the.text ..For.more.detailed.information.about.how.members.of.specific.geographic.or.demographic.groups. responded,.please.refer.to.Appendix.A.of.the.complete.report.which.is.available.at.the.Law.Library.of.the. Supreme.Court.or.online.at.www .nhcitcourts .org . II. Knowledge of New Hampshire Courts Overall,.New.Hampshire.citizens.have.little.knowledge.of.the.way.courts.in.their.community.handle.various. legal.cases ..Respondents.were.asked.to.rate.how.well.their.local.courts.handle.several.types.of.cases.on.a. five-point.scale.where.“1”.was.the.lowest.point.and.“5”.was.the.highest.point .. When.asked.about.how.well.courts.in.their.community.handle.criminal.cases,.civil.cases,.and.family.relations. matters,.at.least.one-third.said.they.did.not.know.(Chart.2 .1) .. Citizens.are.least.aware.of.how.well.civil.cases.are.handled.(49%.don’t.know),.child.support.cases.(47%.don’t. know),.juvenile.delinquency.cases.(44%.don’t.know).but.are.also.are.quite.unaware.of.how.well.family.rela-tions.cases.are.handles.(42%.don’t.know),.violent.criminal.cases.(38%.don’t.know),.and.non-violent.criminal. cases.(33%.don’t.know) .. Chart 2.1 New.Hampshire.citizens.are.significantly.more. 13% 38% likely.than.residents.of.the.U .S ..overall.to.say.they. Violent criminal cases don’t.know.how.these.cases.are.handled .. 10% Non-violent criminal cases 33% For.most.specific.measures,.younger.adults,. women,.people.who.have.moved.to.New.Hamp-Civil cases 19% 49% shire.in.the.past.five.years,.residents.of.Hillsbor-ough.County.and.the.Seacoast.and.those.who. Family relations cases 16% 42% have.never.been.to.court.are.least.knowledgeable. about.how.the.community.courts.handle.cases .. Juvenile Delinquency Cases 16% 44% People.with.lower.levels.of.education.are.MORE. knowledgeable.about.how.local.courts.handle. Child Support Cases 47% non-violent.crimes.(such.as.drunk.driving.and.drug. cases).and.civil.cases .. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Minorities.are.more.likely.to.know.about.how. courts.handle.juvenile.delinquency.cases.and.to. rate.them.lower.than.are.whites .. Chart 2.1 (right) How.Well.do.Community.Courts.Handle.Cases.—.NH.vs ..US.. (Percent.responding.“Don’t.Know”.or.“Not.Familiar”) Ratings.for.how.well.the.courts.handle.cases.are.relatively.high.when.compared.to.national.figures.after.those. with.a.lack.of.knowledge.are.factored.in.(Chart.2 .2) ..Chart.2 .3.(pg.28).shows.full.responses.for.NH.residents . Chart 2.2 (below) How.Well.do.Community.Courts.Handle.Cases.—.NH.vs ..US.. (Percent.responding.4.or.5.on.5.point.scale) Violent criminal cases Non-violent criminal cases Civil cases Family relations cases Juvenile Delinquency Cases Child Support Cases 35% 40% 2 Appendix.C 31% 36% 34% 32% 21% 24% 26% 22% 18% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Chart 2.3 How.Well.do.Community.Courts.Handle.Cases.(NH.Only) Violent criminal cases Non-violent criminal cases Civil cases Family relations cases Juvenile Delinquency Cases Child Support Cases 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 1 - Lowest 2 3 4 5 - Highest Not Familiar / Don't Know Personal Familiarity with State Courts A.major.reason.New.Hampshire.residents.are.unable.to.rate.the.performance.of.their.local.courts,.compared. to.national.figures,.is.that.few.New.Hampshire.residents.have.any.direct.experience.with.the.courts ..Only.13. percent.of.NH.residents.said.they.had.personal.experience.in.a.court.in.the.past.year,.either.as.a.defendant,.a. plaintiff,.witness,.or.as.a.juror ..By.comparison,.38.percent.of.US.residents.had.been.in.court.in.the.prior.year. of.the.NCSC.survey.(Chart.2 .4) .. • Fully.61.percent.of.New.Hampshire.residents.indicated.that.they.had.never.had.any.personal.involve-ment.with.the.courts.compared.to.only.37.percent.of.the.national.sample .. • As.mentioned.above,.New.Hampshire.residents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.prior.year.are.significantly. more.likely.to.be.aware.of.their.community.courts.than.those.who.have.not.(Chart.2 .5) ..However,.there. are.no.significant.differences.between.those.who.have.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.and.those.who. have.not.in.how.they.rate.the.performance.of.their.community.courts .. Chart 2.4 Anyone.in.HH.had.personal.involvement.in.courts.in.last.12.months?.NH.vs ..US 70% 61% 60% Appendix.C 50% 2 37% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes, Respondent has Yes, Family Member No, had at some time No personal involvement Chart 2.5 How.Well.do.Community.Courts.Handle.Cases.by.Recent.Court.Experience.. (Percent.responding.4.or.5.on.5.point.scale) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Comparison of Courts and Other Local Government Organizations In.order.to.better.understand.how.citizens.view.their.state.courts,.respondents.were.asked.to.rate.their.overall. level.of.favorability.toward.their.local.courts,.their.local.schools.and.their.local.police ..Not.surprisingly,.courts. received.the.highest.percentage.of.“3”.responses.as.people.are.more.likely.to.give.moderate.ratings.when.they. are.not.familiar.with.an.institution.(Chart.2 .6) .. • There.are.no.significant.differences.in.how.different.demographic.groups.rate.their.community.courts..... Chart 2.6 Ratings.of.Community.Institutions.(NH.Only) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 1 - Lowest 2 3 4 5 - Highest Don't Know When.compared.with.the.United.States,.all.three.of.the.institutions.rated.received.a.higher.percentage.of. favorable.scores.from.New.Hampshire.residents.than.they.did.nationwide.(Chart.2 .7,.pg.30) .. Chart 2.7 Ratings.of.Community.Institutions.—.NH.vs ..US..(Percent.responding.4.or.5.on.5.point.scale) 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70% III ..PERCEIVED.FAIRNESS.OF.NEW.HAMPSHIRE.COURTS... It.is.of.the.highest.importance.that.courts.are,.and.are.perceived.to.be,.places.where.all.receive.fair.treatment. and.fair.outcomes ..New.Hampshire.residents.were.asked.their.perceptions.of.these.factors.directly.and.give. positive.ratings.to.state.courts.compared.to.national.ratings .. Respondents.were.first.asked.how.often.they.thought.people.received.fair.outcomes.when.they.deal.with.the. courts ..Almost.half.(48%).of.New.Hampshire.residents.said.that.people.always.or.usually.receive.fair.out-comes.when.they.deal.with.the.courts,.one.quarter.(28%).said.they.sometimes.receive.fair.outcomes,.6.percent. said.they.seldom.or.never.receive.fair.outcomes.and.19.percent.don’t.know.(Chart.3 .1) .. • New.Hampshire.residents.assess.the.likelihood.of.receiving.fair.outcomes.significantly.higher.than.do. respondents.to.the.national.NCSC.survey .. • There.are.no.significant.differences.in.how.various.demographic.groups.rate.their.perceptions.of.fair. outcomes .. Chart 3.1 How.often.do.people.receive.fair.outcomes.when.they.deal.with.the.courts? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never Don't Know When.asked.about.the.fairness.of.procedures.used,.58.percent.of.New.Hampshire.residents.think..local.courts. always.or.usually.use.fair.procedures,.21.percent.think.they.sometimes.do,.5.percent.think.they.seldom.or. never.do,.and.15.percent.said.they.don’t.know.(Chart.3 .2) .. • New.Hampshire.residents.rate.the.fairness.of.procedures.used.significantly.higher.than.did.respondents. to.the.national.NCSC.survey .. • Again,.there.are.no.significant.differences.in.how.different.people.assessed.the.fairness.of.procedures. used.in.courts .. Chart 3.2 How.often.do.you.think.the.courts.use.fair.procedures.in.handling.cases?.NH.vs ..US 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Perceived Treatment in Court Respondents.were.next.asked.whether.they.agreed.or.disagreed.with.a.series.of.statements.about.New. Hampshire.courts ..On.issues.of.treatment.of.people.in.courts,.New.Hampshire.residents.rate.the.performance. of.their.state.courts.the.same.as,.or.better.than,.people.on.the.national.NCSC.survey.(Charts.3 .3.&.3 .4,.p.32) .. The.one.significant.exception.is.that.New.Hampshire.residents.were.less.likely.to.agree.that.it.is.affordable.to. bring.a.case.to.court ..More.than.half.of.all.New.Hampshire.respondents.(53%).disagreed.with.this.statement .. New.Hampshire.residents.also.rate.the.timeliness.of.courts.poorly.with.only.39.percent.agreeing.that.cases. are.resolved.in.a.timely.manner.—.43.percent.disagreed.with.this.statement .. Appendix.C It.is.important.to.note.that.fairly.large.percentages.were.unable.to.rate.these.items.—.a.low.of.10.percent.said.  they.did.not.know.if.courts.were.concerned.with.people’s.rights.and.a.high.of..27.percent.said.they.did.not. know.if.mediation.of.disputes.were.decided.fairly .. Chart 3.3 Percent.Agreeing.with.Statements.About.Courts.(NH.Only) Chart 3.4 Percent.Agreeing.with.Statements.About.Courts.—.NH.vs ..US.(Percent.“Strongly.Agree”.or.“Somewhat.Agree”) Courts concerned with people's rights Courts treat people with dignity Courts make decisions based on fact Rights of victims represented Courts listen to what people say Sensitive to needs of avg. citizen Decisions fair & consistent Mediation decided fairly Appendix.C Cases resolved in timely manner 2 Affordable to bring case to court 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Treatment of Minorities and Other Individuals It.is.also.crucial.to.courts.that.people.believe.that.all.types.of.people.are.treated.equally.when.they.deal.with. courts ..In.order.to.examine.this.issue,.respondents.were.asked.a.series.of.questions.about.how.often.certain. types.of.people.were.treated.worse.than.others .. Overall,.there.is.a.lack.of.knowledge.of.how.people.are.treated.with.between.20.percent.and.33.percent.of. respondents.indicating.they.did.not.know.if.certain.people.were.treated.worse.than.others.(Chart.3 .5,.next. page) .. Among.those.who.were.able.to.make.a.judgment,.the.plurality.said.that.these.people.were.sometimes.treated. worse.than.others ..Only.between.19.percent.(father.in.custody.cases).and.26.percent.(African-Americans).said. that.these.groups.were.seldom.or.never.treated.worse.than.others .. Almost.one-quarter.of.state.residents.said.that.fathers.in.custody.cases,.pro-se.litigants,.and.low.income. people.were.always.or.usually.treated.worse.than.others .. Chart 3.5 Are.people.treated.worse.than.others?.(NH.only) Compared.to.national.results.from.the.NCSC.survey,.New.Hampshire.residents.are.less.likely.to.think.that. members.of.these.groups.are.treated.worse.than.others.(Chart.3 .6) .. Chart 3.6 Are.people.treated.worse.than.others?.—.NH.vs ..US.(Percent.“Always”.or.“Usually”) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% IV. NON-TRADITIONAL ROLES FOR THE COURTS Courts.across.the.United.States.have.taken.on.additional.roles.in.dealing.with.societal.problems,.particularly. in.dealing.with.family.issues.and.substance.abuse.issues ..Respondents.were.asked.if.they.agreed.or.disagreed. that.New.Hampshire.courts.should.take.on.several.functions.that.some.courts.across.the.country.have. assumed ..New.Hampshire.residents.are.generally.supportive.of.these.additional.responsibilities,.but.not.to.the. level.of.respondents.from.the.nation.at.large.(Charts.4 .1&.4 .2) .. • A.large.majority.of.New.Hampshire.adults.(78%).agree.that.courts.should.consider.what.psychologists. and.medical.doctors.know.about.the.causes.of.emotional.problems.when.making.decisions.about.people. in.court.cases ..Only.17.percent.disagree.that.courts.should.do.this .. • Almost.three-quarters.(73%).agree.that.courts.should.order.a.person.to.go.back.to.court.and.talk.to.the. judge.about.their.progress.in.a.treatment.program .. • Two-thirds.agree.that.courts.should.take.responsibility.for.making.sure.local.agencies.provide.help.to. people.with.drug.abuse.and/or.alcohol.problems .. • However,.only.54.percent.agree.that.courts.should.hire.drug.treatment.counselors.and.social.workers.as. court.staff.members .. Chart 4.1 Non-traditional.role.of.Courts.—.NH.Only.(Percent.“Strongly.Agree”.or.“Somewhat.Agree”) Consider causes of emotional problems in decisions Be responsible for local agencies helping drug/alcohol problems Order a person to go back to court and talk to judge re: treatment progress Hire drug treatment counselors & social workers 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Appendix.C  Chart 4.2 Non-traditional.Role.of.Courts.—.NH.vs ..US.(Percent.“Strongly.Agree”.or.“Somewhat.Agree”) Consider causes of emotional problems in decisions Be responsible for local agencies helping drug/alcohol problems Order a person to go back to court and talk to judge re: treatment progress Hire drug treatment counselors & social workers 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% V. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN COURT As.described.above,.few.New.Hampshire.residents.have.been.to.court,.especially.when.compared.to.respon-dents.to.the.NCSC.study.(Chart.2 .3) ..Only.12.percent.of.New.Hampshire.adults.said.they.have.been.in.court. in.the.past.year.as.a.plaintiff,.a.defendant,.a.juror,.a.witness.or.for.any.other.reason,.another.8.percent.said. that.a.family.member.had.been.in.court.for.some.reason.in.the.past.year,.18.percent.had.been.in.court.at. some.time.in.their.lives,.but.not.in.the.past.year,.and.61.percent.said.they.had.never.been.to.court .. • Minorities,.people.aged.50.to.59.years.old,.and.people.with.only.a.high.school.education.or.less.are. most.likely.to.have.had.experience.with.the.courts .. • One.quarter.of.those.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.said.they.had.been.a.defendant.in.a.crimi- nal.case,.18.percent.were.plaintiffs.in.a.lawsuit,.15.percent.said.they.had.been.a.witness,.13.percent.had. been.a.juror,.10.percent.were.involved.in.a.child.custody.case,.8.percent.were.defendants.in.a.civil.case,. 3.percent.had.been.involved.in.a.traffic.case,.3%.were.court.employees.or.attorneys,.and.5.percent.had. some.other.experience.in.court .. • The.most.common.types.of.cases.people.were.involved.in.were.criminal.matters.(35%),.family.matters. (28%),.lawsuits.seeking.money.(21%),.traffic.court.(8%),.some.other.matter.(3%),.and.5.percent.were.not. sure .. • Most.of.those.respondents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.(76%).said.that.the.case.they.were. involved.in.had.reached.a.conclusion .. Appendix.C – Respondents.involved.in.criminal.cases.were.more.likely.to.say.that.their.case.had.reached.a.conclu-  sion.than.were.those.involved.in.civil.cases .. Representation • Slightly.more.than.half.(54%).of.those.who.had.been.either.a.plaintiff.or.defendant.in.a.court.case.in.the. past.year.said.they.had.a.lawyer.in.their.case .. • The.major.reasons.for.why.they.did.not.have.a.lawyer.were.that.did.not.want.to.spend.the.money.and. could.handle.the.issue.on.their.own,.that.they.could.not.afford.a.lawyer,.and.that.they.wanted.to.be. there.own.advocate ..(Care.should.be.taken.with.these.results.as.only.a.small.number.of.respondents,.32,. were.asked.this.question .) Observing What Happened in Court Those.respondents.who.had.been.in.court.in.the.past.year.were.asked.whether.they.agreed.or.disagreed. with.a.series.of.statements.about.what.they.saw.happen.during.their.time.in.court ..Overall,.New.Hampshire. respondents.who.had.been.to.court.responded.more.positively.about.their.experience.than.did.respondents.to. the.nationwide.NCSC.survey.(Charts.5 .1.&.5 .2) .. • More.than.three-quarters.of.New.Hampshire.respondents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.agreed. that.people.were.treated.with.dignity.and.respect,.and.that.the.court.staff.showed.concern.for.people’s. rights .. • More.than.two-thirds.agreed.that.a.person’s.race.or.ethnicity.made.no.difference.in.how.the.court. treated.them.and.that.judges.were.neutral.in.the.way.people.were.treated,.that.court.staff.were.neutral .. • More.than.three.in.five.agreed.that.differing.views.of.people.were.taken.into.consideration,.and.that.fair. procedures.were.used.to.make.decisions,.and.that.decisions.were.based.on.fact .. • Similarly,.only.19.percent.agreed.that.judges.did.NOT.show.concern.for.peoples.rights,.31%.said.that. judges.did.NOT.give.people.an.opportunity.to.tell.their.side.of.the.story,.and.33.percent.said.that.the. needs.of.people.were.NOT.taken.into.account .. • On.a.less.positive.note,.only.54.percent.said.that.the.outcome.of.the.procedures.used.was.fair .. • While.New.Hampshire.rated.better.than.the.US.on.most.of.these.indicators,.it.did.score.lower.on. perceptions.of.the.fairness.of.procedures.used,.on.perceptions.that.decisions.were.based.on.fact,.and. perceptions.that.the.outcomes.of.procedures.were.fair .. Chart 5.1 Perceptions.of.NH.Courts.—.Respondent’s.who.had.been.to.Court.in.past.year.NH.Only 66% 17% 3%11% People treated with dignity & respect 57% 21% 5% 12% 5% Staff showed concern for rights 61% 11% 3%7% 18% Race/ethnicity made NO difference Judges were neutral 50% 19% 8% 15% 8% Court staff were neutral 60% 9% 11% 15% Differing views taken into consideration 45% 19% 9% 19% 8% Fair procedures used 47% 16% 8% 21% 8% Decisions were based on fact 46% 15% 8% 21% 9% 14% Outcome of procedures was fair 37% 17% 11% 22% 18% 15% 13% 46% 9% Needs of people NOT considered 20% 11% 11% 52% 6% Did NOT give people opportunity to tell story 12% 8% 13% 60% 8% Judges did NOT show concern for rights 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Chart 5.2 Appendix.C  Perceptions.of.NH.Courts.—.Respondent’s.who.had.been.to.Court.in.past.year.NH.vs ..US.. (Percent.“Strongly.Agree”.or.“Somewhat.Agree”) People treated with dignity & respect 72% 83% Staff showed concern for rights 68% 78% Race/ethnicity made NO difference 72% 69% Judges were neutral 69% 69% Court staff were neutral 69% 69% Differing views taken into consideration 64% 63% Fair procedures used 63% 67% Decisions were based on fact 61% 65% Outcome of procedures was fair 54% 60% Needs of people NOT considered 33% 37% Did NOT give people opportunity to tell story 31% 31% Judges did NOT show concern for rights 19% 27% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Personal Experience in Court Respondents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.were.also.asked.whether.they.agreed.or.disagreed.with.a. series.of.statements.about.how.they.were.personally.treated.in.court.(Charts.5 .3.&.5 .4) .. More.than.three-quarters.of.New.Hampshire.residents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.agreed.they. were.personally.treated.with.dignity.and.respect,.that.their.rights.were.taken.into.account,.and.that.their.views. were.considered .. More.than.two-thirds.agreed.that.they.were.treated.the.same.as.everyone.else.and.that.they.were.able.to. make.their.views.known .. Only.one-quarter.or.less.agreed.that.they.were.NOT.treated.the.way.they.deserved,.that.judges.did.NOT.care. about.their.concerns,.or.that.their.race.or.ethnic.group.made.a.difference.in.how.they.were.treated .. Chart 5.3 Respondent’s.Personal.Treatment.in.Court.NH.Only.(Percent.“Strongly.Agree”.or.“Somewhat.Agree”) Appendix.C  Chart 5.4 Respondent’s.Personal.Treatment.in.Court.—.NH.vs ..US.(Percent.“Strongly.Agree”.or.“Somewhat.Agree”) Treated with diginity & respect My rights taken into account My views were considered Treated same as anyone else Able to make my views known NOT treated the way I deserved Judge/staff did NOT care about my concerns Race/ethnic group made difference in treatment 76% 79% 71% 77% 66% 75% 70% 71% 67% 69% 34% 25% 32% 24% 25% 12% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Expectations of Future Court Appearance Those.respondents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.were.asked.how.fair.the.outcome.they.would.likely. receive.would.be,.and.how.fair.they.think.the.judge.would.be,.if.they.were.to.appear.in.court.again.in.the. future.as.a.party.in.the.same.kind.of.case ..While.most.think.that.judges.and.the.outcome.will.be.fair,.one-quarter.think.that.judges.and.the.outcome.will.be.somewhat.or.very.unfair.(Chart.5 .5) .. • Two-thirds.said.they.expected.the.outcome.of.a.future.case.would.be.very.fair.(47%).or.somewhat.fair. (20%).while.13.percent.think.the.outcome.would.be.somewhat.unfair.and.10.percent.think.the.outcome. would.be.very.unfair .. • Similarly,.almost.three-quarters.think.the.judge.in.a.future.case.will.be.very.fair.(51%).or.somewhat.fair. (21%).while.14.percent.think.the.judge.will.be.somewhat.unfair.and.6.percent.think.the.judge.will.be.very. unfair .. • Both.of.these.measures.are.the.same.as.national.numbers.as.measured.in.the.NCSC.survey .. Chart 5.5 If.you.had.to.go.to.court.again.in.the.future….—.NH.vs ..US.(Percent.“Very.Fair”.or.“Somewhat.Fair”) Appendix.C How fair will outcome be?  How fair will judge be? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Most.respondents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.(61%).said.they.likely.would.go.to.the.courts.if.they. became.involved.in.a.similar.dispute.at.some.time.in.the.future ..However,.almost.one-quarter.said.they.would. be.somewhat.or.very.unlikely.to.return.(Chart.5 .6) .. People.who.had.been.to.court.in.New.Hampshire.are.significantly.more.likely.to.return.to.court.to.resolve.a. future.dispute.than.similar.people.nationwide .. Chart 5.6 How.likely.would.you.be.to.go.to.the.courts.to.resolve.a.similar.dispute?.—.NH.vs ..US 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Very Likley Somewhat Likely Somewhat Unlikely Very Unlikely Don't Know Improvements to the Court Respondents.who.had.been.to.court.in.the.past.year.were.asked.an.open-end.question.about.what.one.change. or.improvement.they.would.recommend.to.improve.New.Hampshire’s.courts ..The.most.frequent.responses. were.to.improve.the.timeliness.of.cases.(20%),.to.treat.people.equally.(9%),.to.hire.more.judges.(6%),.to.have. more.severe.sentencing.(5%),.to.simplify.court.procedures.(4%),.to.stick.more.closely.to.the.law.(4%),.to.hire. fairer,.more.honest.judges.(4%),.to.improve.the.communication.of.court.schedules.(4%),.and.to.make.it.easier. for.people.to.speak.in.court.(3%) . VI. DECIDING NOT TO GO TO COURT All.respondents.were.asked.if.there.had.ever.been.an.instance.when.they.were.discouraged.from.going.to. court.in.New.Hampshire ..Most.respondents.(86%).said.they.had.never.been.discouraged.from.going.to.court,. 5.percent.said.they.had.been.discouraged.from.going.to.court.in.the.past.year,.and.9.percent.said.they.had. been.discouraged.from.going.to.court.at.some.time.before.the.past.year .. Appendix.C Chart 6.1 Yes, in Past Year, 5%  Ever.been.discouraged.from.going.to.Court?.. (All.respondents,.NH.Only) Yes, More than year ago, 9% No, 86% Why Not Go To Court Those.who.said.they.had.been.discouraged.were.asked.how.important.several.factors.were.to.their.decision. not.to.go.to.court .. • Nearly.three-quarters.of.those.who.were.discouraged.from.going.to.court.said.that.the.cost.of.hiring.a. lawyer.was.very.important.in.their.decision.not.to.go.to.court.(Chart.6 .2) .. • More.than.half.said.that.court.costs.and.court.fees.were.very.important.in.their.decision.not.to.go.to. court .. • Almost.40.percent.said.that.their.perception.of.the.fairness.of.the.courts.was.very.important.in.their. decision.not.to.go.to.court .. • More.than.one-third.said.that.the.length.of.time.it.takes.to.reach.a.decision.was.very.important.in.their. decision.not.to.go.to.court .. Chart 6.2 Reasons.for.NOT.Going.to.Court.NH.Only.(Percent.“Very.Important”.or.“Somewhat.Important”) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% VII. RECENT COURT ISSUES Two.issues.involving.New.Hampshire.received.great.publicity.and.public.comment.in.recent.years.–.the.Cla- remont.decisions.that.said.the.State.of.New.Hampshire.is.responsible.for.funding.an.adequate.primary.and. secondary.education.and.the.impeachment.of.former.Supreme.Court.Chief.Justice.David.Brock ..Respondents. were.asked.how.familiar.they.were.with.each.of.these.issues.and.whether.they.had.increased.or.decreased. Appendix.C their.respect.for.the.New.Hampshire.Supreme.Court ..Despite.the.publicity.each.of.these.issues.received,.they. are.not.too.familiar.among.New.Hampshire.adults.(Chart.7 .1) .. Claremont • Only.20.percent.of.New.Hampshire.adults.said.they.are.very.familiar.with.the.Claremont.decisions.that. said.the.State.of.New.Hampshire.is.responsible.for.funding.an.adequate.education.to.New.Hampshire. children,.47.percent.are.somewhat.familiar,.and.33.percent.are.not.familiar.or.don’t.know .. – Younger.adults.(under.40),.people.who.have.never.been.married,.and.newcomers.to.New.Hampshire. are.least.likely.to.be.familiar.with.the.Claremont.Decisions.. • And.while.the.Claremont.Decision.has.caused.a.serious.financial.problem.for.the.state.and.for.many. towns,.this.has.not.had.a.serious.impact.on.people’s.respect.of.the.Supreme.Court ..Among.those.who. said.they.were.familiar.with.the.Claremont.decisions,.the.majority.(53%).said.these.decisions.have.had. no.impact.on.their.respect.for.the.New.Hampshire.Supreme.Court,.26.percent.said.it.has.decreased. their.respect.for.the.Supreme.Court,.19.percent.said.it.has.increased.their.respect.for.the.court.and.2. percent.are.not.sure.(Chart.7 .2) .. – Adults.50.or.older.are.most.likely.to.say.that.the.Claremont.Decisions.have.decreased.their.respect. for.the.Supreme.Court .. Chart 7.1 Familiarity.with.Recent.Court.Issues.(NH.Only) Brock Impeachment • New.Hampshire.residents.are.even.less.familiar.with.the.impeachment.and.acquittal.of.former.Chief. Justice.David.Brock.in.2000 ..Only.7.percent.said.they.were.very.familiar.with.the.Brock.impeachment,. 38.percent.said.they.were.somewhat.familiar,.53.percent.said.they.were.not.familiar.and.1.percent.said. they.were.not.sure.(Chart.7 .1) .. – People.with.higher.levels.of.income.and.education.are.most.familiar.with.the.Brock.impeachment .. – Young.adults.(under.40),.people.with.lower.levels.of.income,.and.recent.arrivals.to.New.Hampshire. are.least.familiar.with.the.Brock.impeachment .. • Among.those.familiar.with.the.Brock.impeachment,.most.(54%).said.it.had.no.impact.on.their.respect. for.the.New.Hampshire.Supreme.Court,.29.percent.said.it.had.decreased.their.respect.for.the.Court,.14. percent.said.it.had.increased.their.respect.for.the.Court.and.2.percent.were.not.sure .. – People.aged.50.to.59.were.most.likely.to.say.that.the.Brock.impeachment.had.decreased.their. respect.for.the.Court .. Chart 7.2 Impact.of.Recent.Court.Issues.(People.familiar.with.issues,.NH.Only) VIII. TECHNICAL REPORT The.University.of.New.Hampshire.Survey.Center.conducted.a.survey.of.New.Hampshire.adults.for.the.New. Hampshire.Citizens.Commission.for.the.State.Courts.in.August,.2005 .. How the Sample Was Selected A.sample.of.households.in.New.Hampshire.was.selected.by.a.procedure.known.as.random.digit.dialing ..The. way.this.works.is.as.follows ..First,.with.the.aid.of.the.computer,.one.of.the.three-digit.telephone.exchanges.that. are.currently.used.in.the.state.(e .g .,.868).is.randomly.selected ..The.computer.then.randomly.selects.one.of.the. “working.blocks”.—.the.first.two.of.the.last.four.numbers.in.a.telephone.number.(e .g .,.64).—.and.attaches.it.to. the.randomly.selected.exchange ..Finally,.the.computer.program.then.generates.a.two-digit.random.number. between.00.and.99.(e .g .,.12).which.is.attached.to.the.previously.selected.prefix.(868),.and.the.previously. selected.working.block.(34).resulting.in.a.complete.telephone.number.—.i .e .,.868-1234 ..This.procedure.is.then. repeated.numerous.times.by.the.computer.to.generate.more.random.numbers,.so.that.we.have.a.sufficient. quantity.to.conduct.the.survey ..The.end.result.is.that.each.household.in.New.Hampshire.in.which.there.is.a. telephone.has.an.equally.likely.chance.of.being.selected.into.the.sample .. The.random.sample.used.in.the.2005.New.Hampshire.State.Court.Survey.was.purchased.from.Marketing. Systems.Group,.Fort.Washington,.Pennsylvania ..MSG.screens.each.selected.telephone.number.to.eliminate. non-working.numbers,.disconnected.numbers,.and.business.numbers.to.improve.the.efficiency.of.the.sample,. reducing.the.amount.of.time.interviewers.spend.calling.non-usable.numbers .. Each.of.these.randomly.generated.telephone.numbers.is.called.by.one.of.our.interviewers.from.a.centrally. supervised.facility.at.the.UNH.Survey.Center ..If.the.number.called.is.found.not.to.be.a.residential.one,.it.is. discarded.and.another.random.number.is.called ..(Approximately.fifty.percent.of.the.numbers.are.discarded. because.they.are.found.to.be.businesses,.institutions,.or.not.assigned .).If.it.is.a.residential.number,.the.inter-viewer.then.randomly.selects.a.member.of.the.household.by.asking.to.speak.with.the.adult.currently.living.in. the.household.who.has.had.the.most.recent.birthday ..This.selection.process.ensures.that.every.adult.(18.years. of.age.or.older).in.the.household.has.an.equally.likely.chance.of.being.included.in.the.survey ..No.substitutions. are.allowed ..If,.for.example,.the.randomly.selected.adult.is.not.at.home.when.the.household.is.first.contacted,. the.interviewer.cannot.substitute.by.selecting.someone.else.who.just.happens.to.be.there.at.the.time ..Instead,. he.or.she.must.make.an.appointment.to.call.back.when.the.randomly.selected.adult.is.at.home ..In.this.way,. respondent.selection.bias.is.minimized .. When the Interviewing Was Done Respondents.were.interviewed.between.July.28.and.August.12,.2005 ..Each.selected.household.was.called.by. a.professional.UNH.Survey.Center.interviewer.from.a.centrally.supervised.facility.at.the.UNH.Survey.Center .. Telephone.calls.during.the.field.period.were.made.between.10:00.AM.and.9:00.PM .. Response Rates Interviews.were.completed.with.765.randomly.selected.adults.in.New.Hampshire.from.a.sample.of.9,120. randomly.selected.telephone.numbers ..Using.American.Association.for.Public.Opinion.(AAPOR).Response. Rate.3,.the.response.rate.for.the.2005.New.Hampshire.State.Court.Survey.was.23 .7% ..The.refusal.rate.for.the. survey.was.quite.low,.8 .3%. Appendix.C The.formula.to.calculate.standard.AAPOR.response.rate.is:. _____________I______________.. ((I+P).+.(R+NC+O).+.e(UH+UO)).. I=Complete.Interviews,.P=Partial.Interviews,.R=Refusal.and.break.off,.NC=Non.Contact,.O=Other,.e=estimated. portion.of.cases.of.unknown.eligibility.that.are.eligible,.UH=Unknown.household,.UO=Unknown.other . After.the.interviews.were.completed,.the.open-ended.questions.were.coded ..Following.this.coding,.the.data. analysis.was.conducted.using.the.Statistical.Package.for.the.Social.Sciences.(SPSS) .. Sampling Error The.2005.New.Hampshire.State.Court.Survey,.like.all.surveys,.is.subject.to.sampling.error.due.to.the.fact.that. all.residents.in.the.area.were.not.interviewed ..For.those.questions.asked.of.seven.hundred.fifty.(750).or.so. respondents,.the.error.is.+/-3 .6% ..For.those.questions.where