General Jurisdiction/Trial Courts

Center staff provide on-going technical assistance for Reno Community Court, which includes regular phone calls (approximately 1-2 times/month), regular email communication, supplying planning guides and other resources, and connecting local stakeholders to subject matter experts. Over the course of the grant, the Center will assist the site to engage a community court steering committee; conduct a community needs assessment; develop policies and procedures; implement a risk-needs tool; launch the project; and collect and review performance data.

Center staff provide on-going technical assistance for Reno Community Court, which includes regular phone calls (approximately 1-2 times/month), regular email communication, supplying planning guides and other resources, and connecting local stakeholders to subject matter experts. Over the course of the grant, the Center will assist the site to engage a community court steering committee; conduct a community needs assessment; develop policies and procedures; implement a risk-needs tool; launch the project; and collect and review performance data.

The PSP Prosecution Community of Practice hosted a presentation on specialty courts on February 3, 2022. The virtual webinar included presentations by Judge Karen Friedman with the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The presentations were followed by an interactive discussion moderated by Ms. Beth McGarry, in which participants could ask questions and receive advice and guidance from the presenters.

Regarding caseload distribution, further study is needed. Efforts will include implementing surveys and focus groups in an effort to greater understand the work duties of lawyers vs. non-lawyer staff members. Our belief is that attorneys may be handling administrative and clerical duties that are more efficiently handled by non-lawyer staff. Similarly, recruiting and staffing issues suggest exploring office reorganization. The pandemic forced our agency to permit telework or remote working. Going forward, a substantive policy needs to be developed for the office.

This training program will utilize the Bring Your Own Case (BYOC) model to provide needed training to capital defense teams, as well as provide the basis for ongoing technical assistance. The combined defense team will work with a faculty of leading experts on issues directly relevant to the defenders' training needs. The agenda is developed in accordance with the BYOC model, and tailored to the specific training needs of the trainees. The program will be conducted virtually, using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning sessions scheduled over one weeks.

On 12/16/2021 NJC participated in a webex virtual meeting with officials from the Gila River Indian Community Court to discuss requirements for a Court Clerk Supervisor position.

On 10/27/2021 NJC provided office-based TA to a judge from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Court by providing written materials and course descriptions for various judicial education offerings at the NJC while the judge was present at NJC for another class.

On 11/10/2021 NJC provided office-based TA to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Court by participating virtually in a zoom meeting with tribal official regarding further discussion about an Alternate District Court Judge position description.

On 10/06/2021 NJC provided office-based TA to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Court by participating virtually in a zoom meeting with tribal official regarding an Alternate District Court Judge position description.

On 11/3-5/2021 NJC collaborated with BJA and allied organizations to present and attend the virtual American Indian Justice Conference. NJC participated in planning and presenting the virtual 2021 American Indian Justice Conference (AIJC) by providing staff to assist with the presentation of designated workshop breakout sessions as well as funding subject matter expert presenters for two breakout session.