Category: News And Announcements

New IAALS Report Offers Recommendations for Advancing Regulatory Reform Nationwide to Address Dire Gap in Legal Services for Majority of Americans

IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, released Unlocking Legal Regulation: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Launching and Sustaining Regulatory Reform. This new report highlights results and recommendations on how legal regulation innovation can address the continued and urgent legal services gap faced by the majority of Americans today.

“IAALS has been at the forefront of regulatory innovation through our Unlocking Legal Regulation work, and we’re deeply involved in what’s happening across the nation when it comes to this important movement,” said Jessica Bednarz, Director of Legal Services and the Profession at IAALS. “We’re now at a point where leaders in this space can draw upon their past experiences and share out what has worked and should be replicated, as well as what has not and needs further consideration.”

To this end, in October 2023, IAALS hosted its third regulatory-focused convening, bringing together a small group of leaders from states considering or implementing regulatory innovation to focus on the following three objectives:

  • Objective 1: Learn from past and current regulatory innovation initiatives to develop an initial round of recommendations that supplement existing resources for launching and sustaining regulatory reform.
  • Objective 2: Determine which stakeholder relationships the regulatory innovation community needs to further develop, and what resources and research still need to be developed to launch new regulatory innovation initiatives and to sustain existing ones.
  • Objective 3: Strengthen existing relationships—and develop new ones—so the group can continue to work together and build momentum as one regulatory innovation community.

The report outlines the convening topics and relevant discussion and lays out a set of 12 recommendations drawn from those discussions, covering stakeholder engagement, program structure and requirements, messaging, research and data, and other areas. 

Read the full blog article here: New IAALS Report Offers Recommendations for Advancing Regulatory Reform Nationwide to Address Dire Gap in Legal Services for Majority of Americans | IAALS (du.edu)

September is #NationalRecoveryMonth

The State Justice Institute is proud to support #NationalRecoveryMonth, funding and cross-collaborating in a significant amount of substance use, mental health and behavioral health projects. To learn about these programs and projects funded by SJI, please visit: https://www.sji.gov/priori…/behavioral-health-disparities/.

#recoverymonth #stopaddiction #opioidcrisis #opioidepidemic #mentalhealthawareness #recoveryispossible #substanceusedisorder #addictionrecovery #substanceabuseawareness

Call For Proposals!

In 2025, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) will host the National Conference on Juvenile Justice from March 16th-19th, 2025, in Boston, MA and the 88th Annual Conference from July 20th-23rd, 2025, in Chicago, IL. The Curriculum Committee is accepting 60-minute session proposals for both conferences! Please submit here: https://loom.ly/iPbZ1sM

SJI Mourns the Sudden Passing of Circuit Court Judge O. Duane Slone

The State Justice Institute mourns the loss of Judge Slone. He worked tirelessly to support people and their families impacted by substance use disorder, particularly in rural communities. He was a gifted innovator that truly embraced the role of the judge as a convener, leader and changemaker. He will be deeply missed.

Full Statement: Judiciary Mourns the Sudden Passing of Circuit Court Judge O. Duane Slone | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (tncourts.gov)

Upcoming Webinar! Court Navigation Programs: Providing Connections and Support Across the Legal and Behavioral Health Systems

Upcoming #Webinar! Court Navigation Programs: Providing Connections and Support Across the Legal and Behavioral Health Systems

Date: Friday, September 27th, 2024, at 1:00PM EST.

State Justice Institute‘s, Michelle White, will be presenting.

In this webinar, researchers from Policy Research Associates, Inc will share findings from a three-year study of court navigator programs located across the United States. Researchers completed a national scan of court navigator programs, conducted site visits to five programs, and interviewed nearly 100 people who were involved with these programs in various capacities. Researchers will summarize findings across programs regarding the structure, daily workflow, lessons learned, and reported benefits of court navigator programs. A special emphasis will be placed on the role of court navigators in providing connections to behavioral health services in the community. The webinar will include a panel discussion featuring court navigators and will conclude with an audience Q&A.

Presenters:

Dr. Samantha Zottola, Senior Research Associate, Policy Research Associates, Inc

Brandon Morrissey, JD, Research Assistant, Policy Research Associates, Inc

Isolynn Massey, Research Assistant, Policy Research Associates, Inc

Dr. Sarah Desmarais, President, Policy Research Associates, Inc

Dr. Elan Hope, Vice President, Policy Research Associates, Inc

Michelle White, Senior Policy Advisor, State Justice Institute and the Bureau of Justice Assistance

Luther Archer, LPC, CPSC, Court Clinician, Chesterfield VA

Nicholas Bolet, Court Navigator, Buncombe County, NC

Dani Tirjan-Whittemore, Criminal Justice Liaison, TN

Register here: https://prainc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpfumtqDsiGdIP9tkDl_xvS-2Cp0Za75Na#/registration

Call For Proposals! Overarching Theme for 2025: Building Public Trust and Confidence in Our Nation’s Courts

The National Association for Court Management (NACM) is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Midyear and Annual Conferences. If you know someone who would be perfect for these conferences, please encourage them to submit a proposal. Midyear and Annual proposals are due by October 4th, 2024.

The 2025 conference themes are available below. Click the following link to submit a proposal: https://nacmnet.org/nacm-2025-conference-proposal-submission-form/

Upcoming Webinar: Using Behavioral Science to (Re)Design Your Jury Summons and Other Communications with Prospective Jurors

When? Wednesday, August 21st, 2024, from 3:00PM – 4:00PM ET.

Join the National Center for State Courts for an insightful webinar on redesigning jury summons and other communications with prospective jurors through the lens of behavioral science.

This session will explore:

•The principles of behavioral science and how they apply to jury communications

•Real-world examples of redesigned communications that have led to higher engagement

•Practical tips for crafting more effective messages to prospective jurors

Register here.

SJI Celebrates 40 Years of Improving the Administration of Justice in State Courts

SJI and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce the release of a 40-year report that provides a retrospective overview of the important work that SJI has achieved over the past four decades, highlighting specific projects that have supported the greatest areas of need within the #statecourts.

Over the next decade, SJI will leverage funding whenever possible to help the state courts address the most critical issues. SJI will continue to focus on using its Priority Investment Areas to address court issues on a national level and maintain flexibility to adapt its grants to address emerging topics.

SJI Celebrates #40Years!

#40YearAnniversary #Celebrating40Years #StateJusticeInstitute

Growing Use of Digital Assistants and Virtual Tools to Improve A2J

Courts across the country are recognizing the potential of digital tools to bridge the gap for self-represented litigants navigating complex legal issues. These tools assist users in understanding the legal process and help them make informed decisions about their case.

Working with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), Philadelphia’s Municipal Court recently introduced two new digital assistants: Tenant Landlord Digital Assistant (T/LDA) and Consumer Debt Information Bot (CODI).

These tools serve as virtual companions—offering step-by-step guidance and plain language explanations—for self-represented litigants in landlord-tenant and consumer debt cases, adding Philadelphia to the growing list of courts embracing innovative technology solutions to improve court services.

“The majority of our litigants are pro se,” said Judge Gregory Yorgey-Girdy, supervising judge of the Civil Division, Philadelphia Municipal Court. “This technology gives them the keys to unlock the doors of the legal process and allows easier access to the Philadelphia Municipal Court.”

Digital Assistants

Philadelphia’s new digital assistants guide court users through the landlord/tenant and consumer debt process. By answering questions about their situation, court users receive a customized “just-in-time” plan in a friendly, plain language document they can bring to court.

“There is no shortage of legal information online. Sometimes the challenge for users is managing it all and determining what to do next,” said NCSC Court Management Consultant Aubrie Souza. “Digital assistants enable individuals to focus on the next steps in their case rather than figuring out how to digest and piece together information found online.”

Read the full article here: Growing use of digital assistants and virtual tools to improve A2J | NCSC