Judicial security, access to justice among the priorities outlined in state of the judiciary speeches

Several key themes emerged from this year’s speeches, reflecting the evolving priorities and challenges facing state courts.

• Judicial security: Several chief justices emphasized growing concerns over judicial security following increased threats to judges and court staff.
• Access to justice and legal representation: Many states are tackling access to justice issues, particularly in rural areas where legal deserts persist.
• Judicial compensation and staffing needs: The need for judicial pay raises and additional staffing remains a pressing issue.
• Mental health and problem-solving courts: Many states are continuing to expand problem-solving courts.
• Technology and modernization: Courts are utilizing technology to enhance efficiency and access to legal services.

Public trust and confidence

In several states, chief justices referenced NCSC’s 2024 annual public opinion survey that found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Americans express trust and confidence in America’s state courts, with a growing number of Americans giving state courts a positive “job approval” rating.

In his January address, Georgia Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs, who stepped down from the court in March, credited the improved sentiment to the “remarkable work Georgia judges are doing to honor their oath.”

South Dakota Chief Justice Steven Jensen credited the positive approval rating to the fact that “people actually see the work of the state courts and understand firsthand how the work of the courts positively impacts families, communities, and public safety.”

Maine Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill acknowledged the improvement but maintained that work still needs to be done to combat disinformation, divisiveness, and the perception of bias and partisanship, which erode trust and confidence in the judiciary.

Resources to strengthen public trust

Courts can turn to our Beyond Civics Education guide for tips on communicating with the public. Our everyday strategy features messaging and recommendations that can be used by courts of all shapes and sizes. Download the guide at ncsc.org/beyondcivicseducation.

Pictured above: South Dakota Chief Justice Steven Jensen making his January State of the Judiciary address.

AI innovations and data governance drive discussions at court summit

AI, data governance, and the evolving roles of data specialists and IT professionals were priority topics for nearly 100 court professionals who attended last month’s NCSC Data Specialist & Information Technologist Summit in Austin, Texas.

Data and IT professionals are “unsung heroes” who bring court stories to life through dashboards and data visualizations, according to Michigan State Court Administrator Tom Boyd, chair of the Conference of State Court Administrators’ Court Statistics Committee.

Presentations showcased innovative AI applications, including AI news reporters in Arizona, AI's role in expungement cases in Oregon, and chatbots in California aimed at enhancing court efficiency.

"I was impressed by the breadth of topics covered during the summit and the lively discussions with all participants," said Dalin-Rose Heather, deputy administrative director of the courts in Hawaiʻi.

Summit organizer Morgan Moffett, an NCSC senior research analyst, said the event seeks to bridge the traditional divide between data and IT specialists, who often operate in separate departments and may rarely communicate.

"The best work in the courts is done when both groups work together,” she said.

Explore how NCSC is supporting data and technology innovation in the courts.