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General Jurisdiction Course Enhances Judicial Skills and Confidence on the Bench

1/5/2008

In 2008, judges will have two opportunities to participate in The National Judicial College’s flagship course, General Jurisdiction. The two-week programs are scheduled to be held at the College in Reno on March 30 - April 10, 2008, and again on October 19 -30, 2008.

“The NJC's General Jurisdiction class was great,” expressed Judge Clark Hall, a general jurisdiction judge from Gadsden, Alabama. Judge Hall attended the General Jurisdiction class in October of 2007. He added, “I learned a lot of new law and brushed up on other legal issues that I was familiar with. The discussion groups that we had really allowed me to understand the methods and procedures practiced by judges in other state jurisdictions.”

Judge Hall’s positive review of the class is common among course participants. The interaction and exchange of diverse ideas that take place during this two-week course provide lifelong skills for the participants. Some of the topics covered include better decision-making, developments in criminal law and procedure, family law, judicial discretion, ethics, sentencing, controlling the courtroom, handling juries, and dealing with the media. There are also sessions regarding evidence, sentencing, self-represented litigants and problem-solving courts, including drug courts, domestic violence courts and mental health courts.

“This course allows judges from different states to share knowledge and learn from each other,” explained NJC Program Attorney Verdene Johnson. “That is how positive changes are made in our judicial system. By helping bring about those changes, The National Judicial College is fulfilling its mission of achieving quality justice.”

Although many states offer judicial education, course feedback suggests that the NJC’s General Jurisdiction course is the only nationwide course to give judges a national perspective on issues. According to Judge Hall, Alabama has semi-annual judicial conferences where judges are updated on the current law. “However, what we are offered at the state conferences does not compare to the classes offered at NJC,” expressed Judge Hall. “The approach and application by the other judges that I met and worked with was greatly beneficial. I have already implemented some of the new concepts learned through the school.”

Judge Hall stated that upon returning from the General Jurisdiction course, he implemented newly-learned strategies. In presiding over a civil jury trial, he now asks lawyers if they would object if the jurors had a copy of the jury instructions. This technique was learned at the NJC. He said the lawyers were receptive to the idea. In polling the jurors after the trial, Judge Hall discovered that jurors found this to be extremely helpful.

Judge Hall also stated that “The panelists on the sentencing panel really validated the methods that our jurisdiction uses at this time in dealing with drug offenders. My jurisdiction has various programs to address drug offenders and understanding those options with the varying degrees of punishment was helpful.”

Judge Hall’s favorite aspect of the course was meeting the other judges and hearing how they conducted their respective courtrooms. "The break-out sessions really proved to be instrumental because they allowed for one-on-one time with other judges, he added. “The facilitator was very, very beneficial in directing the group’s attention on the matters of interest,” recalled Judge Hall. “My facilitator, Judge Slaby (Judge Lynn Slaby, Court of Appeals, Akron, Ohio), was very personable and gave our group a lot of insight.”

Judge Hall enjoyed General Jurisdiction so much that he was inspired to enter the NJC’s Master of Judicial Studies program. “I would recommend this course to any judge,” he said.

“There is something for every judge in the program, even the most learned judge would benefit from the General Jurisdiction course.” In fact Judge Hall enjoyed the course so much that he also stated that he would like the opportunity to serve as a group facilitator for a General Jurisdiction course in the future.

For more information or to register, please call (800) 25-JUDGE or visit the courses section of the NJC website.