Latest News

Request For Concept Papers: Self-Represented Litigation In The State Courts

SJI is accepting concept papers to address self-represented litigation in the state courts – one of SJI's new Priority Investment Areas. SJI is seeking to fund project(s) that are innovative and national or statewide in scope, and will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state courts in addressing this critical issue. Some examples include (but are not limited to) unique approaches to maximizing court self-help centers and court-based volunteer attorney programs, and application of technology solutions to improve access for self-represented litigants and the state courts. continue >

SJI Announces New Priority Investment Areas

On November 30, 2011, the SJI Board of Directors announced SJI's new Priority Investment Areas. The Priority Investment Areas replace the former Special Interest Categories for Project Grants in many ways - most importantly in that they apply to ALL grant types (with the exception of the Education Support Program). SJI strongly encourages potential grant applicants to consider projects addressing one or more of these Priority Investment Areas. continue >

Maryland Judiciary Completes Evaluation of Three Unique Truancy Court Models

Under provisions of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the State's courts are charged with participating in the enforcement of Maryland's compulsory school attendance laws. In lieu of punitive sanctions, Maryland's judges are also given authority to intervene to "establish terms and conditions which would promote the child's attendance." To help meet these requirements, the Maryland Judiciary completed an evaluation of three different programs that handle truancy cases. The goal of the evaluation was to provide feedback to Maryland's courts and judges regarding truancy intervention. continue >

SJI Grant Products are Available at the NCSC Library

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Library is the official repository for all SJI grant products, including reports, curricula, media, and any documents in their final version created by SJI grant funding. Beginning in FY 2011, The NCSC Library became a centralized holding of these items, which replaced the previous requirement for SJI grantees to disseminate their final products to all 50 state court libraries. continue >