NCJ Number
77246
Date Published
1981
Length
84 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a survey conducted by the Courts Technical Assistance Project staff which focused on the scope and nature of State judicial education requirements.
Abstract
The staff conducted a telephone survey of all State judicial education officers to determine whether mandatory judicial education requirements existed in their States and if so, the nature of the education required and the judges affected. The survey was conducted from November 1980 through January 1981. The survey reveals that 40 States have formal mandatory requirements for judicial education; 10 States and the District of Columbia have no mandatory requirements. Of the 40 States with such requirements, 4 require atttendance only at an annual judicial conference or college, 5 States require attendance only at a new judge orientation/certification program, 8 States require only a specified level of continuing education, and 23 States require attendance at more than one of these types of programs. Considering that 'mandatory judicial education' usually refers to a specified number of required hours of continuing legal education program participation by judges over some defined period, 26 States have reported that they have such requirements, 9 of which require attendance by both general jurisdiction and appellate court judges. Many States offer regular voluntary programs in the three program categories which are comprehensive and well attended, despite the absence of mandatory participation requirements. Mandatory new judge orientation programs are conducted in 24 States. The annual judicial conference or college is mandated in 17 States and is generally directed to all judges. Mandatory continuing education programs operate in 26 States. Footnotes and extensive tables are provided. Appendixes include a list of survey respondents and sample statutes, rules, orders, and constitutional provisions of 17 States. (Author abstract modified)