General Jurisdiction (JS 610) – Fall

Tuition

2399

Conference Fee

779

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Request Course Info

Days & Times

to

The first session starts at 8.00 a.m.
The last session ends at 4.00 p.m.

Course Location

Reno, NV

Course Fees

Tuition

$2399

Conference Fee

$779

Reno, NV

October 20, 2025 to October 30, 2025

Jumpstart your judicial career!

This course supplements state-sponsored judicial education by providing a solid foundation in the substance and theories that all new judges should have beginning their career on the bench. You are immersed in the core competencies of your profession. After attending this course, you will be able to manage your courtroom and individual cases, including cases involving self-represented litigants; conduct jury trials more effectively; summarize and apply developments in criminal law and procedure, judicial discretion, ethics, and sentencing; rule on evidence more confidently; and make fair and unbiased decisions. The communication and listening skills learned in this course will enable you to communicate more effectively in your courtroom and with court staff.

4 credits

towards degree programs

Tuition

Course $2399

Conference Fee $779

Scholarships programs

Scholarship assistance makes NJC courses more affordable for judges.

Scholarships
What will I learn?

During this course, you will learn to:

  • Rule on evidence more confidently,
  • Manage your courtroom and individual cases, including cases involving self-represented litigants,
  • Handle juries and sentencing more effectively.
  • Make fair and unbiased decisions.
  • Communicate more effectively from the bench.
  • Summarize and apply developments in civil case techniques,
  • Rule on evidence more confidently.
  • Create an appropriate case flow management system for your court.
  • Address electronically stored information discovery issues, and

Why should I take this course?
Designed for the newer judge, the course introduces you to a variety of subjects and skills you will need and use in your judicial career. Both academic and experiential teaching techniques are used to provide you with the solid, basic understanding of various topics, from ruling on evidence to handling the self-represented litigant. In addition to the substantive law sessions, you will learn about courtroom control, ethical pitfalls and solutions, effective communication techniques, and decision making strategies. After your nine days at The National Judicial College, you will have the tools and resources to face most courtroom situations with confidence.

Who should attend?
The course is designed for the newer general jurisdiction judge. Most participants find their attendance is most meaningful if they can attend six to twenty-four months after taking the bench. Experienced judges with or without law degrees who have completed the basic two-week Special Court Jurisdiction course are eligible to attend.

Who are the members of the faculty?
The faculty is composed of experienced and knowledgeable judges, law professors and experts from other disciplines who have considerable experience in teaching judges and in using the techniques appropriate for a professional education.

How is this course taught?
The faculty use a variety of adult education methods including lecture, question and answer, debate, hypotheticals, problem-solving, and panel discussions. There is a great deal of sharing of experience and practice, which occurs particularly in the daily small-group discussions conducted by group facilitators who have previously attended the course. The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed with as much time as possible for completing exercises, but the lectures are deliberately provocative in comparing methods, ideas, and procedures.

What should I tell my presiding judge or funding agency so that my attendance will be approved?
Being an effective and efficient general jurisdiction judge requires a range of skills unique to the judicial position. This course will provide me with nine full days of intensive immersion in those basic, necessary skills. Participants learn best practices in a variety of topics. In addition, I will have the opportunity to utilize those techniques in various courtroom scenarios and practicums. Some of the topics covered include courtroom management, evidence rulings, defendant control, and judicial handling of staff.

Whom should I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (800) 255-8343 or registrar@judges.org.

Attire
Business casual: most participants wear jeans, comfortable pants, sneakers, or tennis shoes.

Dinners
Two class dinners will be scheduled. RSVP will be completed during the 1st day of class.

This course qualifies for 4 credits toward the Master of Judicial Studies Degree Program and Judicial Studies Doctoral Program at the University of Nevada, Reno upon successful completion of the course and passing the course exam. In addition, this course qualifies for The National Judicial College Certificate in Judicial Development program Dispute Resolution Skills, General Jurisdiction Trial Skills, Leadership Enrichment & Jurisprudence Skills, Special Court Trial Skills and Tribal Judicial Skills disciplines.

Register Now.

This course supplements state-sponsored judicial education by providing a solid foundation in the substance and theories that all new judges should have beginning their career on the bench. You are immersed in the core competencies of your profession. After attending this course, you will be able to manage your courtroom and individual cases, including cases involving self-represented litigants; conduct jury trials more effectively; summarize and apply developments in criminal law and procedure, judicial discretion, ethics, and sentencing; rule on evidence more confidently; and make fair and unbiased decisions. The communication and listening skills learned in this course will enable you to communicate more effectively in your courtroom and with court staff.

Register
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