Clerks in the Civil Justice Process

Authors

  • John W. Winkle
  • David England

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.1992.13.0.239-252

Abstract

Published research on the legal process for the most part neglects the strategic importance of trial clerks in courtroom workgroups. Using a questionnaire survey, this study examines the duties and perceptions of clerks in civil courts in two states. Differences in work styles are related to differential modes of selection: appointment in Tennessee and election in Mississippi. Tennessee clerks follow a bureaucratic model while those in Mississippi follow a more political one. These differences may influence in large measure the kind and degree of outputs in the respective justice processes.

References

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Winkle, John W. III. 1982. Judicial Planning and the Politics of Nonrenewal. In Philip Dubois, ed., The Politics of Judicial Reform. Lexington, MA: Lexington Press

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Published

1992-07-01

Issue

Section

Articles