Article Title

Using a Prediction Model in Forecasting Appeals

Authors

Paul A. Rake

Publication Citation

4 (2) IUSTITIA 29 (1977)

Abstract

Following the 1972 reorganization of the Indiana Court of Appeals into three panels serving defined geographical districts, the Court soon found itself floundering with too many unevenly distributed cases. Lacking a sufficient base of statistical data from which to formulate a plan to cope with the problem, various proposals, including redistricting the court, adding more judges, and developing a more sophisticated staff research, could not be measured for effectiveness or advisability.

In response to these problems, the Court developed a project to deal with the future caseload by constructing a regression model to predict appeals. This model generated estimates of the number of criminal and civil appeals to be filed during 1979, 1980, and 1981 from each county in the state. From these caseload predictions, inferences were drawn regarding the merit of several of the proposed changes. The model has made planning and evaluation for the future a viable function. Moreover, the potential need for more judges can now be statistically justified.

Recommended Citation

Rake, Paul A. (1977) "Using a Prediction Model in Forecasting Appeals," IUSTITIA: Vol. 4: No. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/iustitia/vol4/iss2/2