National Center for State Courts

05/28/2026

Defendants found incompetent can spend up to four times longer in detention than similarly situated competent defendants—often before any conviction.

For this reason and more, courts across the country are reexamining competency to stand trial practices. Our webinar series, "Competency & restoration reimagined: From practice to possibility," explores how courts can improve timeliness, fairness, and outcomes.

Here is what courts need to know:

🧭 Start with the legal foundation
Competency to stand trial is a present-tense legal standard—not a clinical diagnosis. Understanding current laws, issues, and litigation is essential.

⚖️ Improve processes to reduce delays
Clear referral practices, standardized evaluations, and stronger case management can reduce bottlenecks. Strategies like outpatient-first approaches and competency dockets are showing results.

🔄 Consider alternatives to traditional pathways
Competency may not be restorable for all individuals. Diversion and other “off-ramp” options can connect people to treatment while reducing strain on the system.

📊 Use data and oversight to drive change
Data, judicial oversight, and standardized practices can significantly improve timeliness and consistency.

Courts are facing growing competency backlogs with real legal, financial, and human impacts. There is an opportunity to rethink how these systems operate—from practice to possibility.

➡️ Watch the webinar series to explore solutions for your court.

This article explores current competency laws, system bottlenecks, and emerging practices that support timely, fair, and effective outcomes to assist courts, justice partners, and policymakers.

05/28/2026

Strong court navigator programs rely on strong data.

Join us June 5 for a webinar on how courts can collect, analyze, and use navigator program data to improve services, measure impact, and support funding.

This session will explore:
📊 Data-driven decision-making for court navigator programs
📈 Measuring program effectiveness and outcomes
📣 Using data to communicate value to stakeholders and funders

Court Navigator School is designed for courts looking to start, strengthen, or expand navigator programs with practical guidance and support from national experts.

If your court is focused on access to justice, self-help services, or program evaluation, this webinar is for you.

05/28/2026

The competition for talent has changed. Courts are now competing with more flexible workplaces, evolving employee expectations, and a rapidly changing workforce.

Recruiting qualified court staff is becoming more difficult nationwide. Retaining experienced employees may be even harder. In fact, research cited in NCSC’s new guide shows up to 50% of U.S. employees are open to leaving their current employer.

To help courts respond, our new "Recruitment and Retention Guide for Court Leaders at All Levels" offers practical strategies to help courts attract, support, and retain qualified employees.

The guide includes actionable ideas for:
✅ Streamlining hiring processes
✅ Improving workplace culture
✅ Supporting employee wellbeing
✅ Expanding professional development
✅ Creating flexible and modern workplaces

Strong courts depend on strong teams. Court leaders at every level play a critical role in building a resilient, future-ready workforce.

05/27/2026

Defendants found incompetent to stand trial can spend up to four times longer in detention than similarly situated competent defendants—often before any conviction.

Our three-part webinar series helps courts, justice partners, and policymakers understand competency laws, system bottlenecks, and emerging practices that support timely, fair, and effective outcomes.

Part 1: Level-setting – Explains the legal foundations of competency to stand trial and how delays and limited resources impact courts, jails, and public trust.

Part 2: Process improvements – Highlights strategies and best practices to improve timeliness, consistency, and case management in competency proceedings.

Part 3: Alternatives – Explores diversion and treatment-focused models that provide options outside traditional competency pathways while improving outcomes and reducing costs.

05/27/2026

Peacemaking courts are reshaping conversations around justice, healing, community engagement, and problem-solving. Rooted in Indigenous traditions, these approaches are being adapted across modern justice systems to address harm in more restorative ways.

Join the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) Tribal Relations Committee, and national experts on June 4 from 1–2 p.m. ET for a timely webinar exploring:

• How peacemaking courts work
• Core principles and values behind peacemaking
• Real-world implementation examples
• Michigan’s Tribal-State-Federal Judicial Forum
• Opportunities and challenges for courts considering these approaches

This conversation is especially relevant for judges, court leaders, tribal justice partners, and anyone interested in restorative justice, court innovation, and community-centered approaches.

05/27/2026

Courts are stepping outside the courtroom to connect with their communities as the nation approaches America’s 250th anniversary.

In Franklin County, Pennsylvania, court leaders recently joined the Chambersburg parade—meeting residents where they are and celebrating alongside the community.

Judges Shawn D. Meyers and Annie R. Gomez Shockey participated in the event, along with the county’s courthouse dog, Officer Dudley, who quickly became a crowd favorite.

Moments like these matter. They help humanize the courts, build trust, and create meaningful connections beyond court proceedings.

As America’s semiquincentennial approaches, courts across the country are finding new ways to engage—through community parades, tree plantings, commemorative dedications, and more.

How is your court connecting with the community? Share your efforts and inspire others. Photo credit: PA Courts.

05/26/2026

Understanding conservatorships is crucial for courts and the communities they serve. Our five-part video series offers clear, accessible guidance for those considering or serving as conservators, as well as the public.

These short videos cover key topics, including:
• The fundamentals of conservatorships
• The role and responsibilities of conservators
• Safeguarding assets and managing finances
• Court oversight and expense monitoring
• What expenses are permitted

Courts can use this series as a practical tool to educate and support court users, reinforce expectations, and promote transparency in conservatorship proceedings. This resource is designed to complement local court policies and requirements while helping build public understanding and trust.

➡️ Explore the video series and share it with your community.

Embark on a journey to comprehend conservatorships with our concise five-part video series presented by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). Whether you're considering becoming a conservator or have already been appointed by a court, this series equips you with essential information and tool...

05/26/2026

AI-generated evidence is no longer a future concern. It's something that exists today.

In Mendones v. Cushman & Wakefield, a California judge identified a video submitted as evidence as an AI-generated deepfake of a witness.

This case underscores a growing challenge for courts: fabricated audio, video, and documents are becoming easier and more convincing to create using generative AI.

At NCSC, we are working with partners to help courts address these emerging risks while also supporting the responsible use of AI to improve access to justice and court efficiency.

The goal remains the same: maintaining public confidence that court decisions are based on reliable facts. As this technology evolves, so must the tools courts use to evaluate evidence.

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms—including the fundamental right to justice.

Courts play a vital role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring the principles they defended remain strong for generations to come.

05/22/2026

Safe and secure courts are essential.

They protect the public, court staff, and judges—and ensure the rule of law endures, even in times of crisis. We are committed to helping courts strengthen their safety and security strategies.

From emergency planning and cyber resilience to continuity of operations, we provide guidance and tools so courts can adapt, respond, and remain resilient in any situation.

By promoting safe and secure courts, we help courts protect the people they serve and maintain confidence in justice every day.

05/22/2026

As the summer semester begins, CORA helps state courts connect with students seeking externships, internships, and clerkships.

For courts, CORA makes it easy to:
🏛️ Post opportunities in one place
🌱 Reach students interested in court careers
🤝 Build a future workforce pipeline

For students, CORA is the go-to portal to:
🔍 Find opportunities with courts nationwide
⚖️ Explore careers in the justice system
📈 Gain real-world experience and skills