Judicial Branch Annual Accountability Report
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL BRANCH I N D E X Mission Statement South Carolina Supreme Court South Carolina Court of Appeals South Carolina Circuit Court South Carolina Family Court Office of Court Administration Division of Information Resource Management Division of Finance And Personnel Board of Commissioners On Judicial Standards Board of Commissioners on Grievances And Discipline
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL BRANCH The mission of the Judicial Branch of South Carolina State Government is to provide for the efficient and effective administration of justice in accordance with the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of South Carolina, the statutes of this state and the common law. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is designated by statute as the Chief Administrator of the Judicial Branch. Through delegation of functions, with funding appropriated by the Legislative Branch and approved by the Executive Branch, the Chief Justice administers the unified state court system, regulates the practice of law, and manages Judicial Branch personnel.
MISSION STATEMENT
PROGRAM: SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT Appellate and Original Jurisdiction; Administration PROGRAM GOAL The goals of the Supreme Court are to expeditiously dispose of the state's appellate caseload in accordance with the Constitutions of the United States and the State of South Carolina, state statutes, regulations, local ordinances, and the common law; to efficiently operate the unified court system; and to effectively govern the practice of law. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Supreme Court are to expedite the appellate process without compromising its integrity, to elevate the levels of efficiency and uniformity within the state court system, to promote a high standard of competence by attorneys and judges, to maintain citizen access to the courts, and to remediate weaknesses within the grievance and discipline process for attorneys and judges. PERFORMANCE MEASURES The Supreme Court reviews appeals from the circuit and family courts, petitions for writs of certiorari, certified questions from federal and foreign jurisdictions, as well as actions and extraordinary writs instituted in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Workload and Outcome Indicators 1995 1996 Notices of Appeal Filed .......................... Dismissed ....................... Cases Docketed ........................ Opinions Issued ................. Dismissed/Withdrawn ............. 1995 1996 Post-Conviction Certiorari Petitions Filed ........................... Ruled Upon ...................... Court of Appeals Certiorari Petitions Filed ........................... Ruled Upon ...................... Motions Filed ........................... Ruled Upon ...................... Certified Questions Filed ........................... 6 Disposed Of (Accepted or Denied) 6 DOCKETED CASES REMAINING AT YEAR'S END AWAITING CONSIDERATION ........ 455 (By Supreme Court or Court of Appeals)
PROGRAM: SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS (Appellate Jurisdiction) PROGRAM GOAL The goal of the Court of Appeals is to expedite the state's appellate process by sharing the workload of the Supreme Court as permitted by statute. OBJECTIVE The objective of the Court of Appeals is to review appeals from the circuit and family courts involving questions of law and equity, but excluding the five classes of cases statutorily assigned to the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals may also issue writs in aid of jurisdiction. PERFORMANCE MEASURES Workload and Outcome Indicators 1995 1996 Cases Pending as of January Transferred from Supreme Court ... Opinions Issued ................. Dismissed/Withdrawn/Settled ....... Returned to Supreme Court ........ Motions/Petitions Pending January Filed ............................ Ruled Upon ....................... DOCKETED CASES Pending December (Awaiting Consideration)
PROGRAM: SOUTH CAROLINA CIRCUIT COURT General Trial Jurisdiction PROGRAM GOAL The goals of the circuit court are to dispose of civil and criminal cases as designated by statute; and to review appeals from the judgment of the probate, magistrate, and municipal courts, and from administrative law bodies. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of the circuit court are to fairly and expeditiously adjudicate all cases, with particular attention to the case backlog; and to promote positive human relations in its dealings with all persons coming in contact with the court system. PERFORMANCE MEASURES Workload and Outcome Indicators General Sessions Common Pleas Caseload 1995 1996 1995 1996 Pending as of January ,,,,264 Filed During Year ..... 109,,,,242 Disposed Of ........... 108,,,,436 Pending December ,,,,070 Age of Pending Cases (As of December 31) Percentage 180 Days or Less (General Sessions Only) 50.0% 50.5% Percentage 540 Days or Less (Common Pleas Only) ...... 87.0% 85.4% Terms of Court Held Analysis Filings Per Term Dispositions Per Term Disposition Rate 98.9% 99.5% 95.5% 93.9% (Filings to Disposition)
PROGRAM: SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY COURT Limited Jurisdiction PROGRAM GOAL The goal of the Family Court is to appropriately adjudicate issues involving domestic relations and juvenile delinquency. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Family Court are to adjudicate all cases in a fair, effective and timely manner; to foster among court personnel a heightened sensitivity to the unique nature of Family Court cases; and to ensure that the quality of justice administered is not adversely affected by the effort to expedite the disposition of current cases and reduce the case backlog. PERFORMANCE MEASURES Workload and Outcome Indicators Domestic Juvenile Relations Delinquency Total 1995 1996 1995 1996 1995 1996 Caseload Pending ......... 29,087 31,,724 5,,,389 January 1 Filed ........... 82,172 70,,488 24,,,068 Disposed Of...... 79,916 76,,514 23,,,174 Pending ......... 31,343 25,,698 7,,,283 December 31 Age of Pending Cases (As of December 31) 1995 1996 Percentage 270 Days or Less ......... 92.0% 88.7% Terms of Court Held .................... 1,,139.8 Analysis Filings Per Term ................... Dispositions Per Term .............. Rate of Dispositions ................ 96.9% 105.4% (Filings to Disposition)
PROGRAM: OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM GOAL The goals of the Office of Court Administration are to implement Supreme Court rules and policies, to provide administrative support, and to administer Judicial Branch operations. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of Court Administration are too efficiently administer the unified court system in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice; to ensure that the Judicial Branch operates within prescribed constitutional, statutory, and procedural guidelines; and to provide administrative support to the Chief Justice in a manner that will facilitate the cost-effective and proper operation of the Judicial Branch. PERFORMANCE MEASURES Workload Indicators Under direction of the Chief Justice, Court Administration schedules terms of circuit and family court[1]; assigns court staff; manages Judicial Branch personnel[2] and resources; directs the information technology program;[3] compiles, analyzes, and maintains records on court system data; and furnishes research support and information. The Supreme Court's program of continuing education for masters-in-equity and judges of the probate, magistrate, and municipal courts is coordinated by the Office of Court Administration, which also conducts training for non-judicial court personnel and other Branch employees. Court Administration serves as communications liaison between the Judicial Branch and the public; as intermediary with the National Center for State Courts; and with administrative counterparts in other states. ______________________ [1] See reports on Circuit Court and Family Court [2] See Finance and Personnel. [3] See Information Resource Management.
PROGRAM: DIVISION OF INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GOAL Under direction of the Supreme Court and supervision of Court Administration, the goals of the Division of Information Resource Management are to procure and maintain technological equipment and support materials for the Judicial Branch; to train personnel, provide user support; and, where appropriate, to coordinate technological functions within the court system. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of Information Resource Management are to build and maintain a basic information technology infrastructure to fully support Branch operations; to offer continuing personnel training and systems upgrade; to fully automate a substantial portion of court operations and record keeping; to provide liaison services to county clerks of court for the State Child Support Enforcement System Development Project; and to further develop Branch communications capabilities. PERFORMANCE MEASURES (Information Resource Management is a division of Court Administration. For purposes of this report, performance measures are incorporated within Court Administration's workload indicators.)
PROGRAM: DIVISION OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL PROGRAM GOAL Under supervision of the Chief Justice and Court Administration, the goal of the Division of Finance and Personnel is to provide financial expertise and operations support sufficient to enable the Branch to operate within applicable federal and state guidelines and at a high level of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Within the realm of its authority and responsibility, the objectives of the Division of Finance and Personnel are to timely furnish periodic reports, accurate projections, and competent advice to the Chief Justice on budgetary and other financial matters; to manage Branch personnel and personnel benefits; to ensure Branch compliance with federal and state payroll reporting requirements; to administer Branch operations involving finance; to prepare annual budgets; to purchase Branch inventory and maintain inventory records; and to assist judges in matters involving judicial staff, office set-up and termination of service. PERFORMANCE MEASURES (Finance and Personnel is a division of Court Administration. For purposes of this report, performance measures are incorporated within Court Administration's workload indicators.)
PROGRAM: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON JUDICIAL STANDARDS PROGRAM GOAL The goal of the Board of Commissioners on Judicial Standards is to promote public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and through the timely and effective disposition of complaints against judges. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Board of Commissioners on Judicial Standards are to receive, investigate, and adjudicate complaints against judges in the state court system and make recommendations to the Supreme Court as to disposition; and, as appropriate, to implement Supreme Court Rules and policies governing judges. PERFORMANCE MEASURES Workload and Outcome Indicators 1995 1996 Caseload Cases Pending January Cases Filed Grievances Received ................ Grievances Reopened ................ Case Dispositions Dismissed (Unfounded, No Evidence of of Misconduct, Lack of Jurisdiction, or Appellate Matter) Cautionary Letter Sent ................ Private Reprimand ...................... Public Reprimand ....................... Removal ................................ Cases Pending December
PROGRAM: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINE PROGRAM GOAL The goal of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline is to promote public confidence in the integrity of the legal profession and safeguard attorney morale through the reliable disposition of complaints of professional misconduct against attorneys. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Board are to receive, investigate, and adjudicate complaints against attorneys in a timely, fair and effective manner; to make recommendations to the Supreme Court as to disposition; and, as appropriate, to implement Supreme Court rules and policies governing attorneys. PERFORMANCE MEASURES Workload and Outcome Indicators 1995 1996 Caseload Cases Pending January Cases Filed Grievances Received ..................... Cases Dismissed By Chairman ............................. By Executive Committee .................. By Supreme Court ........................ Dispositions by Supreme Court Temporary Suspension .................... Private Reprimand ...................... Public Reprimand ....................... Indefinite Suspension .................. Definite Suspension .................... Disbarment .............................. Disciplinary Resignation ................ Disability Inactive Status Reinstatement ........................... Pending December