JUDICIAL ROTATION AS CENTRIPETAL FORCE: SENTENCING IN THE COURT COMMUNITIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA*

Courts as communities theory emphasizes the sentencing differences that can arise between localities within a single state. The results of published studies have highlighted how local differences emerge based on informal sociological and political processes defined by the communities perspective. The findings from recent quantitative studies from South Carolina have revealed notably less county variation in sentencing than has been observed elsewhere. I use qualitative interviews with 13 South Carolina trial judges to investigate sentencing processes and to shed light on these findings. The interviews explore the state's legal structure and culture, including the practice of circuit rotation in which judges travel among counties holding court. The results suggest rotation serves as a centripetal force of sentencing culture, homogenizing what might otherwise be a more varied collection of county‐specific norms. Rotation leads to increased uniformity through judge shopping and the cross‐pollination of ideas and norms. Defendants can strategically judge shop and plead in front of a lenient judge—a process that gives rise to the term “plea judge,” which is a label for the most lenient judges who sentence a large number of defendants. Rotation also increases the interactions among judges and prosecutors, expanding networks and grapevines, and leading to cross‐pollination and the sharing of ideas.     

当庭认证:一个被误读的概念

当庭认证是刑事审判方式改革的重要内容,由于未有相关法律或司法解释对其内涵作出明确界定,从而在审判实 践中当庭认证往往被机械理解。从诉讼理论出发并联系审判实践,探讨了当庭认证的应有内涵,并提出公开认证 的概念比当庭认证更具有现实意义。     

试论加入WTO后少数民族法的调整

WTO规则的适用及成员方对少数民族自治地区法律、政府及其权力等方面的关注,说明少数民族地区法律、法规与WTO规则存在冲突,少数民族法应按照WTO规则的精神进行调整和完善。     

出庭实务问题研究

出庭实务包括出庭前的准备和出席法庭。出庭讯问被告人时,需要注意相关性规则、反对诱导规则、反对复合性规则、不得假设规则,也要讲究运用策略。法庭辩论时要遵循观点明确同一原则、整体原则、以立为主原则,也要掌握技巧,如辩论主动、善于抓住对方弱点、分化被告人、解脱纠缠、补救失误等。     

自然人身份能力的区际法律冲突及属人法的确定--兼谈《民法典(草案)》第九编的属人法制度

“一国两制”的伟大构想促使我国形成“三法系、四法域”的独特法律体制。自然人作为民事法律关系最重要的主体 ,其民事行为能力的确定关系到其所从事民事行为的有效性。四法域有关这一制度的规定存在一定的法律冲突 ,并且在属人法的确定上亦有所不同 ,本文通过对四法域法律制度的比较 ,以及对属人法理论的换位思考 ,试探讨解决这一区际法律冲突的途径 ,并结合《民法典 (草案 )》第九编的有关规定提出一点建议。     

军舰护航打击索马里海盗：法律依据和司法程序安排

军舰护航涉及国内法和国际法双重依据问题,其中联合国安理会的相关决议和索马里政府的同意,构成军舰护航打击索马里海盗的国际法依据。随着打击海盗行动的深入发展,法律合作成为打击海盗国际合作中亟待加强的重要领域。各国应尽快订立或完善刑事罪名,确立对海盗的普遍管辖权;协议海盗疑犯的移交、审判和监管安排,为军舰护航打击海盗提供法律基础;加强对索马里海域沿岸国的援助,帮助其加强国内司法能力建设。     

INTEREST IN MARITAL RECONCILIATION AMONG DIVORCING PARENTS

This study offers the first research data on the interest of divorcing parents in marital reconciliation. A sample of 2,484 divorcing parents was surveyed after taking required parenting classes. They were asked about whether they believed their marriage could still be saved with hard work, and about their interest in reconciliation services. About 1 in 4 individual parents indicated some belief that their marriage could still be saved, and in about 1 in 9 matched couples both partners did. As for interest in reconciliation services, about 3 in 10 individuals indicated potential interest. In a sub‐sample of 329 matched couples, about 1 in 3 couples had one partner interested but not the other, and in 1 in 10 couples both partners were interested in reconciliation services. Findings were consistent across most demographic and marital factors. The only strong predictors of reconciliation interest were gender, with males being more interested than females, and initiator status, with far greater interest among those whose partner initiated the divorce. These findings are discussed in terms of attachment theory and future prospects of divorce services.     

EARLY INTERVENTION IN NEW ZEALAND FAMILY COURT CASES

In April 2010 the New Zealand Family Court introduced the National Early Intervention Process (NEIP) to diversify its previous unitary dispute resolution pathway into two tracks (standard and urgent). A “triage” model is now in use to assess and assign cases appropriately. This article outlines the key milestones in the Family Court's 30‐year history which have led to this new initiative to reduce delays and help avoid the escalation of family conflicts over the care of children into bitter and intractable disputes. NEIP represents the most overarching reform of the Family Court since the Court's inception in 1981.     

司法科技推动司法改革——以法院科技化建设为视角

现代科技已经成为推动新一轮司法改革的重要力量,对法制观念、法律制度、法律运行机制和法学研究方法等方面产生了深远影响。法院科技化建设作为司法科技紧密结合的产物,既体现了科技强院战略要求、司法为民和司法便民的司法理念,也利于提高司法效率、节省司法成本,是当下司法改革的重要方向。     

治理视野中的城市商务区政府管理与服务模式分析——以北京市东城区东二环交通商务区建设管理办公室为个案

商务区经济的发展有赖于政府发挥其宏观调控、监管和有效服务的功能,而商务区政府功能的发挥离不开合理的管理与服务模式的构建。本文认为,通过理顺商务区政府与相关职能部门、企业的关系,发展各种企业协会组织,搭建政府、企业、社会合作的有效平台,有助于建设和谐商务区,为商务区经济的发展营造良好的软环境。