On behalf of the Arizona Judicial Branch, it is my pleasure to present our 2001 Annual Report. This year's report is the fifth and final one I will present as Chief Justice. It has been a remarkable experience to lead this branch of government and I am thankful for the opportunity. This annual report documents the progress the Judicial Branch has made toward implementing our strategic agenda, Justice 2002. But the credit for these accomplishments belongs to the dedicated men and women who serve in our branch of government, and the supporters of our justice system across Arizona. 

Together, we have confronted many challenges. I am particularly proud of the improvements made in our juvenile detention facilities. We have gone from overcrowded, deplorable buildings to modern complexes that are safe, secure environments for children.

Together, we have streamlined dependency cases so children no longer languish in our court system.  Through our Model Court dependency case reengineering program, we have slashed waiting periods in dependency cases by weeks, prevented needless delays, and involved family members earlier in the process.

We have brought technology into our courts to make them more efficient for users and accountable to taxpayers. We have continued to improve our jury system. We have established a new Judicial Branch employee code of conduct, published a benchbook on domestic violence to bring uniformity to how these cases are processed, and expanded the number of operational reviews our courts receive. We have implemented an Elder Law Hotline that offers free legal assistance to Arizonans age 60 or older, dramatically increased the collection of fines and restitution payments and held dialogues with citizens in their communities so we can learn how we can serve the people of Arizona better.

We also have invited almost 2,000 members of the public to serve on committees, commissions and as volunteers within the courts to help us shape policy that provides Arizonans with an even more responsive judicial system.

I am proud of the work we have done, proud of what we have accomplished, and proud to have worked with the people who bring justice to our state. As I pass the gavel to Vice Chief Justice Jones, who will become our next Chief Justice, I do so with the knowledge that the same committed people who achieved so much during the last five years will ensure that the Judicial Branch will continue to flourish during the tenure of his capable leadership.

This annual report is the final summary of the Judicial Branch's activity under the direction of Chief Justice Thomas Zlaket. For the last five years, the Judiciary has focused on achieving the four goals of Justice 2002, Chief Justice Zlaket's strategic agenda for the courts. These four goals are: Protecting Children, Families, and Communities; Providing Access to Swift, Fair Justice; Connecting with the Community; and, Being Accountable. The success of the Judicial Branch in improving the administration of justice in these areas has brought national praise to both Chief Justice Zlaket and the court system in Arizona. The reforms nurtured by Justice 2002 in Arizona will leave a lasting impression on the terrain of justice in Arizona.

Protecting Children, Families and Communities

Model Court

Chief Justice Zlaket has said, "Short of execution, the greatest use of government power is the removal a child--an abused, neglected or dependent child--from a parent. Whenever such action is warranted, cases need to be handled faster and better. These children have committed no crime. They have done nothing wrong. They deserve our best efforts to ensure that they do not languish in foster homes while the courts plod slowly along the path to resolution."  In response to this issue and as part of its strategic agenda, the Judiciary embarked on an effort to reform dependency case management. Model Court, a reengineered case processing system for dependency proceedings, was enacted with the help of the state legislature to



address and better serve the children and families who rely on Arizona's courts. 

Now the standard for processing dependency cases throughout Arizona, Model Court has reduced the time necessary for moving a dependent child through the court system in half. It has reduced the wait for a Preliminary Protective Hearing from 90 to seven days, eliminated unnecessary continuances, and involved extended family members from the beginning of the process.

Juvenile Detention Enhancement Project

Shortly after assuming the office, Chief Justice Zlaket was taken on a tour of

juvenile detention centers. He later remarked, "If a society can be judged by how it treats its children, we were then failing miserably. I was truly ashamed by what I saw, and determined to change the deplorable conditions existing in these detention centers."

 Change came in the form of the statewide Juvenile Detention Enhancement Project. With the help of many key legislators, judges, the Governor, Boards of Supervisors, county personnel and court staff, $171 million in state, federal, and county funds have been committed to provide safe, secure juvenile detention facilities. The project has led to new or renovated juvenile detention facilities in 14 of 15 counties in Arizona. Accompanying these new facilities are operational guidelines for improving the quality of care for juveniles in the custody of the juvenile court. These improved guidelines and facilities represent the Judicial Branch's commitment to quality care and service for every juvenile in the custody of the courts.

Superior Court Facilities

Through the efforts of Presiding Judges, Superior Court facilities, including juvenile court centers, have been built, remodeled or are under construction in Yuma, Pima, Apache, Cochise, Pinal, Graham, Coconino, Mohave and Maricopa Counties. These investments in our justice system were necessary to bring courts closer to population centers, provide the public with safe facilities in which to conduct their business, and equip court houses with cost saving technology. These new facilities now stand ready to provide justice services for decades to come.

Collecting Restitution & Fees

 "If sanctions are not enforced, if financial obligations to victims and others are ignored, then court orders will become nothing more than worthless pieces of paper. We will not allow that to happen." This statement by Chief Justice Zlaket led to increased enforcement of court ordered sanctions. The effort has increased restitution paid to the victims of crime, and helped defray the costs of our court system.

Enforcement of court sanctions during Chief Justice Zlaket's term has led to: a 52 percent increase in work service hours completed by adult probationers; a 106 percent increase in probation fee collections (from $4.8 million in FY 1996 to $9.9 million in FY 2001); a 112 percent increase in reimbursement