Opinion ID: 1916148
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: new judicial article

Text: On December 18, 1973, the people of this state overwhelmingly approved a fundamental reorganization of the state's judicial system. By a vote of almost two-to-one, the people approved a constitutional amendment (new judicial article) which was proclaimed on December 27, 1973 as Amendment No. 328 to the Alabama Constitution, 1901, and which laid to rest a system that served well in the 18th and 19th centuries, but which was strained by the economic, political and social conditions of the 20th century. On the old foundations, a modern judicial system has been erected, designed to meet the needs of the people of this state in the last quarter of this century, and to continue to be responsive to the kaleidoscopic challenges of modern-day life on into the 21st century. The citizens of this state now demand a modern, responsive, effective judicial system which does not cling to the ideas and concepts of a more pristine period when problems of judicial administration were slight. For in today's complex society, just as procedure is the handmaid of justice, so too, judicial administration is the handmaid of an effective judicial system. The independence of the judiciary to do those things judicial cannot realistically be separated from the need for administrative independence if the mandate of the people for a more effective system of justice is to be fulfilled. One can not escape some of the underlying themes of the new constitutional framework for courts when a comparison is made between the provisions of the old judicial article and the new judicial article. One of the underlying themes is a constitutional mandate that the judicial branch exercise more administrative independence. Another underlying theme is that the Supreme Court should make the initial determination of the operating rules for the judicial system, subject only to specific restraints, in order to ensure a more effective businesslike operation of the entire court system. While many legal and judicial scholars in Alabama felt that rule-making power previously existed in the inherent powers of the equal but separate judicial branch of government, the highest court in this state had evidenced considerable restraint in the past pertaining to the exercise of such powers. In order that the judiciary, as well as the other branches of government, understand that rule-making power was clearly vested within the Supreme Court, the judicial article mandated that the highest court of Alabama make and promulgate the rules of administration for all courts, as well as the rules governing practice and procedure. Regardless of whether this is construed as a constitutional transfer of authority or a clearer restatement of inherent powers, there can be no doubt that the new judicial article places the mandatory function on the Supreme Court to make the operating rules for the judicial system, subject to only specific restraints and checks. See Section 6.11 of Amendment 328. The instant case has been decided by a majority of the members of this court under the provisions of the old judicial article and, should not, therefore, be considered binding precedent for cases arising under the new constitutional framework. Section 6.10 of the newly-adopted judicial article contains the following provisions: Adequate and reasonable financing for the entire unified judicial system shall be provided. Adequate and reasonable appropriations shall be made by the legislature for the entire unified judicial system, exclusive of probate courts and municipal courts. (Emphasis added) The constitutional mandate adequate and reasonable financing in the first sentence of the above quote is more expansive than the clause adequate and reasonable appropriations and there is no limitation of this responsibility to a specific branch following the clause shall be provided in the first sentence. Further, it seems clear that adequate and reasonable financing of the court system of this state is a constitutional priority for nowhere else in the Constitution do the words adequate and reasonable appear in relationship to financing and appropriations. [1] While it is anticipated that judicial financing will be geared to a climate of harmony and cooperation between the legislative and judicial branches, nevertheless, there is a constitutional requirement that adequate and reasonable financing for the entire unified judicial system shall be provided even if the legislature should be remiss in complying with its constitutional mandate. In such an unlikely event, the duty to ensure the fulfillment of the people's will becomes the responsibility of the judicial branch. The language of Section 6.10 of the newly-adopted judicial article evidences an underlying theme that the fiscal needs of the judiciary are not to be neglected. This is in keeping with the first mentioned theme that the judiciary of this state act more independently in administrative matters than it has in the past. The judicial branch cannot bring about a more effective administration of justice if it is financially hamstrung. The use of the words adequate and reasonable is also designed to prevent abuses. The danger of abuse can be further controlled through effective rules of administration. Following its decision in O'Coins , the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court promulgated rules designed to prevent abuses as well as to provide a method of review by any affected governmental agency. See Burke, The Inherent Powers of the Courts, 57 Judicature 247 (Jan. 1974). The new judicial article, while building on the foundation of the old Constitution, embodies such a departure from that document by its emphasis on judicial administrative independence and adequate and reasonable financing of courts that contrary concepts, including the one voiced by the majority in the instant case, are erased. This court must proceed to view judicial administrative tasks in keeping with the mandate of the people.