A 1999 national survey conducted by the National Center for States Courts in Williamsburg, Virginia, revealed that almost half of all American citizens thought the courts were out of touch with the surrounding community. This number increased to two-thirds among African-Americans who were surveyed. As a result, collaborative programs between the community and state courts are becoming more common. The goal is to foster the average citizen's understanding of the judiciary and to build public trust in the court system.

Court-Community Programs

Some courts offer educational programs within the courthouse that encourage the public to learn about how the courts operate. In some locations, courthouses and court services have been made more user friendly. Some courts have also implemented outreach programs that address community problems such as substance abuse, mental illness, family violence, homelessness, and bias. The courts use publications, cable television programs, and public meetings to reach the public. Some cities have set up community courts locally to handle cases that affect the quality of community life. Court and community initiatives result in community involvement in the design of new court facilities and as support for court operations.

Massachusetts and New York Undertake Community Initiatives

The Massachusetts court system implemented a "Reinventing Justice" initiative. Grants were made to towns, and town meetings were held to get community input for court reforms. Pilot projects were implemented for community outreach and education.

New York created a program for "Justice Initiatives" within the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice. The program's goals are to improve access to the judicial system, assist self-represented litigants, conduct educational programs about the courts, and obtain permanent, stable funding for legal services for the poor.

Federal Courts Implement Education Outreach Program

The federal courts have an education outreach program, which is designed to increase public understanding of the federal court system. Federal judges work with educators to teach students about the structure and operation of the federal court system. In-house television productions are used to present educational programs. The federal courts also use the Internet and other media to communicate knowledge of the federal judiciary. The federal judiciary's web site, www.uscourts.gov/outreach, provides educational materials, including lesson plans, for use in the classroom. The goal of the outreach program is to introduce students to court-related issues.

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