This measure tests whether the case docket system conforms to State law and serves the purposes for which it is intended. The basic objective of a docket system is to provide a summary of each case history, the names of the parties involved, and the documents filed in that case.

Planning/Preparation. This measures involves the inspection of individual entries in the case docket system. The cases to be examined can be the same samples of criminal, civil, domestic relations, and juvenile cases used in Measure 3.6.1, Reliability of the File Control System. Additionally, the file for each case should be obtained to verify the completeness of the docket system.

Data Collection. Review of the individual cases is intended to answer basic questions concerning the adequacy of the docket system. This review can be carried out by comparing the entries in the docket system with the information contained in the case files. Are all the cases in the system? Are all the entries per case clear and understandable or are some unreadable or unintelligible? Please refer to Form 3.6.3, Illustrative Data Collection Form: Accuracy, Consistency, and Utility of the Case Docket System, for an example. Note that items 1, 2, and 4 on Form 3.6.3 are found on Forms 3.6.1 and 3.6.2. Hence, a court can combine the three forms if it chooses to apply all three measures.