Court Reform and Judicial Leadership: Judge George Nicola and the New Jersey Justice System »

PAUL B. WICE is Professor of Political Science at Drew University in New Jersey.

This study examines judicial leadership in court reform, tying biography, political science, social psychology, law, and history into court reform at the local level through the case of a nationally known jurist and reformer—Judge George Nicola of New Jersey. The work provides an important examination, in depth and over time, of true leadership in the courts and of the exceptionally innovative programs developed by Judge Nicola. The author also addresses two fundamental issues which lie at the heart of court reform and judicial leadership: the perplexing question of whether a judicial system so bound by tradition as that of the United States can be changed from within; and whether judicial leadership provides the best and most fruitful opportunity for changing this institution. This volume will be of interest to scholars of political science, American government, the judiciary, and the practice of law.

Booknews

Continuing his social-psychological approach to illuminating the human rather than conceptual dimension of the legal process, Wice (political science, Drew U.) focuses narrowly on one person as an example that energized judges committed to court reform can produce significant improvements in their own jurisdictions by combining intelligence with leadership skills. Nicola began his career in 1960 in the municipal court, then moved to county juvenile and adult courts and is now on the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Jersey. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)