PRESS RELEASE

HARRISBURG, April 30, 2007 - A new report on "The State of the Commonwealth's Courts" describes judicial highlights of the past year including the launch of a program to help abused and neglected children, the expanded use of drug courts around the Commonwealth, a new interpreter program and increased public access to court information through automation.

The updated report, issued today by Chief Justice Ralph J. Cappy on behalf of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, is a supplement to a longer report of the same title that was published last year, the first of its kind to be issued in Pennsylvania in two decades.

"Since our initial 'state of the judiciary' report last year, we have continued to make major strides toward ensuring greater access to the courts and improving the quality of justice for our citizens," said Chief Justice Cappy. "We want Pennsylvania's courts to be accessible, accountable and responsive to the needs of all people who use them, including victims of crime, civil litigants and families in crisis, and we are doing more every year to achieve those standards."

The 2007 updated report on the State of the Commonwealth's Courts is an effort by the Supreme Court to inform the public about an array of court initiatives, some new and others which have been in progress for many years, which are designed to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania and the ideals of American justice. A copy of both reports may be seen at the Pennsylvania Judiciary's Web site at: www.courts.state.pa.us.

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