of the R.I. Supreme Court.
(Tom Croke)
Recently I completed my first one hundred days as your Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Maybe it is no coincidence that this anniversary came on June 6th-D-Day. In many ways it has been a difficult hundred days as I have begun the work of addressing the challenges facing our third branch of government. But I can assure you, we have landed on the beach and are dug in!
When I accepted this position, I was fully aware of the many challenges the judiciary faces. As many know, I have an ambitious agenda to improve and enhance the essential services provided by our third branch of government. Last year our courts disposed of 217,618 cases, a total that exceeded those cases that were filed. With only 1.3 percent of our state’s budget earmarked for our entire third branch of government, I submit that the good people of our state get quite a bang for their buck!
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Having had an opportunity to assess the state of the judiciary, it seems clear the courts require an infusion of funding. The judiciary recently requested appropriations from the General Assembly to address some of our pressing needs, including upgrades to our vital civil processing system, which still operates on an outdated WANG computer system, and the replacement of the 70-year old roof on the Licht Courthouse.
We have also embarked on other efforts to make our courts more user-friendly. In a matter of months, I expect to have information kiosks and manned information booths up and running in our court facilities to ensure that those who visit our courts have a trouble-free experience as they conduct their business. We have also taken steps to expand access to public criminal records, which are expected to be available on the Internet following a public comment period. In the future, I am hopeful of making our courts more accessible and efficient through the use of technology.
Another matter that concerns me is the safety of those who enter our courts. I am pleased to report that we have secured the assistance of the United States Marshals Service to conduct a security review of all of our court facilities at no cost to the taxpayers of our state. When this audit is complete, we will sit down to review the findings and implement necessary changes.
When it comes to the condition of our courthouses, we do not need an independent survey to tell us improvements must be made. Specifically, the Kent County Courthouse is long overdue for replacement, as it simply was not designed to function as a courthouse. It appears that plans for financing are forging ahead and I remain hopeful that the General Assembly will act on our request before adjourning for the year. Also, a $3 million renovation is presently under way at the Garrahy Judicial Complex, and we are hopeful that other efforts can be taken to relieve serious overcrowding.
Another issue I have worked to address in my first hundred days is ensuring access to affordable legal services for those who come before our courts. Although legal representation is a protected right, it appears that some litigants go without representation not because they choose to, as is also their right, but because they have grown frustrated in efforts to secure the legal services they need. I am pleased to announce that the Rhode Island Bar Association has stepped forward and agreed with my suggestion to create a task force to provide affordable legal services for all.
I also feel strongly that mediation holds great potential to ensure that our legal system is able to keep up with an increasingly litigious society. I am confident that given time, we will find that alternate dispute resolution (ADR) holds tremendous potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our judicial system. In conjunction with the Rhode Island Bar, we have created an ADR task force to examine the status of this matter within our state.
Upon assuming office, I have also worked to improve awareness and understanding of our state’s judicial system. I have made no secret that I have grave concerns regarding public perception of the judiciary and believe that by reaching out to our schools, civic organizations, and communities, we can restore public confidence in our third branch of government.
I hope you will agree that while we have only just begun, significant progress is being made. We look forward to the many challenges ahead and aspire to great things in both our vision and our goals. With the help, patience, and support of the people of our state along with the implementation of other initiatives on our agenda, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Edited and condensed from a recent speech to the Rhode Island Bar Association
on June 8, 2001.
