Department of Justice Partners with SJI to Prepare State Courts for Future Challenges

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and SJI recently finalized a FY 2007 Partnership Grant to the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to support an Executive Session for State Court Leaders at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government (KSG).  KSG, with the support of DOJ, has conducted similar efforts for Community Policing, Drugs and Community Policing, State and local Prosecution, and Public Defense.  This effort will produce supporting documents to be used for a select group of State court leaders to develop practical approaches to improving the role of State judiciaries in government.  Furthermore, it will focus on how State judiciaries ensure adequate resources, improve accountability and efficiency, while at the same time become instruments of democratic governance in the 21st Century.

The role of State judiciaries in democratic governance must be addressed, and there is a national interest in maintaining courts that are fair, impartial, and efficient. As the third branch of government, the State judiciaries have tremendous impact on the daily lives of millions of Americans. This Partner Grant will enable a select group of State judicial leaders to define the roles State judiciaries play in democratic government, and improve State court responsiveness to the public.  SJI is very pleased with this opportunity to partner with DOJ, and looks forward to continuing this relationship.

More information about criminal justice and policy programs is availible on the Kennedy School of Government’s website.

Additional information about the National Center for State Courts can be found on the NCSC website.