Workshops on trial court delay; improving limited jurisdiction courts being planned for October/November.
The National Conference is working with the National Center for State Courts this year to present two seminars in Phoenix, Arizona in the fall, 2009. Last year, NCMC co-sponsored a special workshop on Reducing Trial Court Delay in Metropolitan Courts (see information in this News and Events section on that program). A similar workshop is planned for October 5 - 6, 2009, hosted by the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. A special feature of the seminar will target proven techniques and innovative approaches in front-end felony processing. The Superior Court in Phoenix has recently launched a new set of court processes and facilities that promote wide scale disposition of lower level felony matters within the first few months of arrest. Look for more details on this website and via the National Center for State Courts in the coming weeks.
Additionally, a three-day seminar for limited jurisdiction court leaders on effectively managing municipal, city, and district courts is being developed in concert with the National Center for State Courts. It is scheduled for November 16 - 18, 2009 at the Judicial Education Center, Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. The topic was first presented last year in Phoenix through the Institute for Court Management (ICM), the educational arm of the National Center for State Courts. The Center has invited the Conference to co-sponsor the workshop this year. Programs and operations at the Phoenix Municipal Court will be featured. NCMC's Executive Director, Gordon Griller, is coordinating both programs and ICM. "The only 'fly in the ointment' is whether enough court leaders and senior staff have the funds and travel authorizations to attend given the terrible state of the economy and massive budget cuts sustained by many courts across the country," Griller commented.
The Board of Directors of the National Conference will meet in Washington DC on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the District of Columbia Superior Court.
The Board will be discussing a variety of matters, including proposed updates to the organization's bylaws, new strategic initiatives, and upcoming conferences in 2009 and 2010. Board members attending the meeting will conclude the day at the United States Supreme Court by attending the annual Rehnquist Dinner, hosted by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, honoring a state trial court leader who has made significant contributions to the advancement of judicial administration. This year's winner is Presiding Judge Jonathan Lippman, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court.
