Rule 87 - Administrative Office of the Courts(a)General principle. The entire court system must have central administrative services to preserve and support the independence of the judiciary as a separate branch of government. Central office administrative services include those functions required in developing and implementing the system-wide management authority and responsibilities of the Chief Justice as the administrative head of the judiciary and the Supreme Court as the administrative policy-making body for the Judicial Branch.(b)Responsibilities of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Under the administrative policies established in conjunction with the Supreme Court and the management authority of the Chief Justice, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall perform these functions:(1)Policy Development. Help develop and implement administrative policies.(2)Judicial Budget. Prepare, review, and submit the judicial budget and provide additional information related to budget issues to the Chief Justice.(3)Personnel System. Prepare and administer system-wide policies, standards, and procedures for the management of the judicial personnel system.(4)Fiscal System. Prepare and administer system-wide policies, standards, and procedures for the management of the judicial fiscal system. Centralize collection efforts through the Office of State Court Collections Enforcement.(5)Technology. Design and implement the policies, standards, and procedures for the development and management of the automated judicial information and recordkeeping systems. Provide technological and management expertise and assistance to the Judicial Branch through the services of the Judicial Information Center.(6)Records Management. Prepare and administer system-wide policies, standards, and procedures for the management of the judicial records management program.(7)Case Flow. Help develop, coordinate, and monitor system-wide case flow and clearance standards.(8)Public Relations and Communications. Serve as a liaison for the Judicial Branch with the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, local government, the Bar, the media, and the general public and prepare the Judicial Branch's Annual Report.(9)Program Development. Conduct system-wide planning, research, program development and evaluation, and statistical collection and analysis functions.(10)Continuing Education. Administer the Judicial Branch's continuing education programs for Judicial Officers, Administrators, and other Court personnel.(11)Law Libraries. Maintain law libraries that can provide legal resources accessible to the Judicial Branch, legal community, and members of the public.(12)Facilities and Security. Coordinate statewide facilities issues, including new construction, minor capital improvements, and security, and coordinate Judicial Branch efforts on these issues with the Executive Branch.(13)Staff Support. Provide staffing assistance for committees, boards, or task forces, as assigned by the Chief Justice.(14)Other Functions. Perform other functions as assigned by the Chief Justice.Adopted June 13, 2024, effective 6/13/2024.