National Center for State Courts

06/17/2026

As courts manage digital evidence across in-person, virtual, and hybrid proceedings, they face growing questions about submission, review, presentation, sharing, storage, and long-term preservation.

To help courts navigate these challenges, the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) has released a new bulletin, "Managing Digital Evidence in Courts: Policy, Process, and Technology for In-Person, Virtual, and Hybrid Proceedings."

The resource provides a practical framework to help courts align governance, workflows, and technology. It covers topics including evidence lifecycle management, virtual hearing workflows, technology procurement, security and privacy, cross-agency information sharing, and long-term modernization planning.

Digital evidence management is not just a technology issue. It requires coordination among judges, court administrators, clerks, technologists, attorneys, justice partners, and policymakers.

➡️ Explore the bulletin and discover how your court can strengthen security, improve efficiency, and better manage digital evidence in today's justice environment. https://ncsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/tech/id/1303

06/17/2026

How can courts lead through constant change? At eCourts 2026, innovation strategist Jay Kiew will challenge court leaders to rethink how they approach transformation, technology, and disruption.

In his keynote, "Change Fluency in a Rapidly Evolving World," Jay will share practical strategies for adapting to change, building organizational resilience, and leading with confidence in an era shaped by AI and emerging technologies.

A half-blind cancer survivor turned global transformation leader, Jay has helped organizations worldwide navigate complex change, creating more than $2 billion in impact across industries. His work on AI fluency and agentic AI adoption earned him recognition as a Future50 honoree by the Project Management Institute.

As courts continue to modernize and meet evolving public expectations, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Join us at eCourts 2026 this December and hear from one of the leading voices on innovation, leadership, and organizational change.

06/16/2026

Case processing time standards help courts establish goals for timely resolution and evaluate caseload management performance. NCSC’s newly updated State Court Case Processing Time Standards (CPTS) reflects the latest available information and provides a clearer view of how jurisdictions across the country are approaching this work today.

The updated data visualization makes it easier than ever to explore how jurisdictions define and apply these standards across different case types.

The interactive tool allows users to compare approaches state by state, offering valuable insight into how courts set expectations for timely case resolution.

This resource supports court leaders, administrators, and researchers working to strengthen performance measurement, improve efficiency, and promote transparency in court operations.

Explore the data and see how approaches compare across the country. https://www.ncsc.org/resources-courts/case-processing-time-standards-state

06/16/2026

The workforce shift is already here.

Today’s courts are managing one of the most multi-generational workforces in history. Across the court community, four generations are working side by side — bringing different communication styles, expectations, experiences, and approaches to public service.

That can create challenges. But it also creates opportunity.

The conversation around generational differences should not focus on division or stereotypes. It should focus on how courts can strengthen collaboration, preserve institutional knowledge, and support the next generation of court leadership.

As discussed during NCSC’s recent webinar on leading a multi-generational workforce, successful court workplaces respect different eras of experience while remaining adaptable to new ideas and evolving expectations.

The future of court leadership may depend on balancing both.

06/15/2026

On this day in 1971, the National Center for State Courts became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—strengthening our ability to support courts, advance innovation, and improve the administration of justice.

For more than five decades, we’ve partnered with courts across the country to address complex challenges, from access to justice to court technology and judicial security.

That work continues today.

We’re focused on helping courts evolve, adapt, and better serve the people and communities who rely on them every day.

Thank you to the judges, court professionals, and partners who have been part of this journey—and who continue to shape the future of our justice system.

06/15/2026

Elder abuse is often hidden.

It can take many forms, including financial exploitation, neglect, and physical harm. Many cases go unreported. Courts play a critical role in protecting older adults.

From guardianship oversight to specialized dockets and cross-sector partnerships, courts are working to prevent abuse and respond with care and accountability.

But there is more to do. Improving data, strengthening monitoring, and expanding access to justice can help courts better identify risk and protect vulnerable adults.

We are committed to advancing elder justice and supporting courts with practical tools, research, and education.

06/14/2026

Today is Flag Day, and the North Carolina Judicial Branch is recognizing both our nation’s history and the enduring role of courts in safeguarding its founding principles.

At the North Carolina Judicial Center in Raleigh, the Betsy Ross 250 Flag flies alongside the United States Flag. Its 13 stars represent the original colonies, including North Carolina, serving as a reminder of the nation’s founding ideals.

This observance is more than symbolic. It reflects the courts’ ongoing responsibility to uphold liberty, justice, and self-government—values at the core of our constitutional system.

On Flag Day and throughout this year’s semiquincentennial, courts across the country are connecting history to the present and to the communities they serve.

06/12/2026

Every day, state courts shape people’s lives. The tools, technology, and partnerships behind that work matter. If your work supports courts, your presence at eCourts 2026 matters. It’s where connections begin.

Court leaders, judges, and decision-makers come together to explore solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen public trust, and expand access to justice. Industry partners play a key role—bringing ideas and technology that help courts move forward.

Attendees often say the exhibit hall is as valuable as the sessions—where real challenges meet practical solutions.

👉 Be part of the conversation at eCourts 2026. Reserve your booth or explore sponsorship opportunities: https://ecourts.ncsc.org/exhibit-sponsor

06/12/2026

We're pleased to announce the selection of four court sites participating in the AI Solutions in Rural Courts project.

In partnership with Microsoft, the project will assist courts with implementing an AI-enabled solution designed to improve court business processes. The selected sites are:

• Mohave County Superior Court (Arizona)
• 11th Judicial District (Louisiana)
• Oxford County Superior Court and South Paris District Court (Maine)
• Moody County (South Dakota)

Over the coming year, project teams will work directly with each court through hands-on assessments and collaborative design sessions. The focus is on identifying operational tasks that are repetitive, time-intensive, or prone to error—and exploring how AI-enabled tools can support more efficient workflows.

Insights and lessons learned from this cohort will be shared broadly to help inform and strengthen business process improvement efforts across rural courts.

➡️ Read more.

Four sites will participate in the AI Solutions in Rural Courts project. In partnership with Microsoft, the project assists courts with implementing an AI-enabled solution designed to improve court business processes.

06/11/2026

Court cyberattacks are no longer just about stealing data.

They are about disrupting court operations. This shift is happening as cyberattacks against courts continue to increase in both frequency and sophistication.

The impact is not only technical—it is prolonged. On average, it takes 241 days to identify and contain a data breach, creating extended disruption to operations and services. In the U.S., the average cost of a data breach is over $10 million.

Attackers often target case management systems, filing portals, and clerk systems. Common methods include ransomware encryption, data theft for extortion, credential compromise, and third-party vendor breaches.

Courts may face delayed hearings, manual processing, system outages, and growing backlogs. This is why cybersecurity is now directly tied to access to justice, continuity of operations, and public trust in the judiciary.

The Joint Technology Committee’s "Cybersecurity Basics for Courts" report helps courts understand risks and strengthen foundational practices to better protect systems, data, and services.