The Power of Compassion in the Court: Healing on both sides of the bench (TJ Court Craft Series #15)

Judge Jamey Hueston (retired), Co-Convenor of the Judicial Outreach Group of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence writes... It is an occupational reality that judges are frequently exposed to disturbing cases involving human misery and anguishing circumstances that can wear on their psyche. Traditional Legal culture expects judges to remain stoically neutral and unemotional while rendering fair decisions. However, it is unreasonable to expect judges to be indifferent to distressing matters or be unaffected by the … Continue reading The Power of Compassion in the Court: Healing on both sides of the bench (TJ Court Craft Series #15)

The Trauma-Informed Courtroom (TJ Court Craft Series #14)

This guest blog by Judge Peggy Hora (Ret.) first appeared on the Justice Speakers Institute, LLC blog series on this link.  This is the third blog in our series on Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma informed practice. Why do judges and other justice professionals need to be cognizant of trauma as it relates to court cases?  … Continue reading The Trauma-Informed Courtroom (TJ Court Craft Series #14)

Prison/Court Video Links: Tips for Judges (TJ Court Craft Series #13)

Magistrate Pauline Spencer (Victoria, Australia) writes.... With the emergence of technology and pressures on prison/court transportation, the use of video links between prisons and courts are becoming more commonplace. Studies have shown that video links impact on people's experience of the justice system.  In University of Sydney's Law School Dr Carolyn McKay's qualitative interviews : Prisoners … Continue reading Prison/Court Video Links: Tips for Judges (TJ Court Craft Series #13)

Steps towards change – a tool for judges working with persons with substance abuse disorders (TJ Court Craft Series #12)

Guest blogger Magistrate Pauline Spencer writes.... Judicial officers seeing people with substance abuse disorder will often see people who are feeling overwhelmed. By the time they end up in court they often are experiencing poor physical and mental health and their practical reality is stressful and chaotic. Often people don't know where they are heading … Continue reading Steps towards change – a tool for judges working with persons with substance abuse disorders (TJ Court Craft Series #12)

Procedural fairness bench card (TJ Court Craft Series #11)

A new bench card on procedural fairness has been developed by the American Judges Association, the Center for Court Innovation, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Judicial College. Read more about this bench card and link to other Procedural Fairness resources on the wonderful blog of ProceduralFairness.org Or link straight to a … Continue reading Procedural fairness bench card (TJ Court Craft Series #11)