I. The Structure of State Court Systems

A. The Two Tiers of Courts
B. Structural Reforms

II. How Judges are Selected

A. Legislative Election

B. Partisan Popular Election
C. Nonpartisan Popular Election
D. Merit Plan
E. Gubernatorial Appointment
F. Which Selection Plan is Best?
G. Removal of Judges

III. Judicial Decision-making

A. In and Out of the Trial Court
B. Inside the Appellate Court
C. Influence of the Legal System
D. Personal Values, Attitudes, and Characteristics of Judges

IV. New Judicial Federalism

A. Judicial Activism in the States
B. Current Trends in State Courts

VI. State Court Reform

A. Financial Improvements
B. Dealing with Growing Caseloads
C. Compensating the Judges
D. State Courts Enter the Modern Age