Category: News And Announcements

The State Justice Institute mourns the loss of Judge Slone. He worked tirelessly to support people and their families impacted by substance use disorder, particularly in rural communities. He was a gifted innovator that truly embraced the role of the judge as a convener, leader and changemaker. He will be deeply missed.

Full Statement: Judiciary Mourns the Sudden Passing of Circuit Court Judge O. Duane Slone | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (tncourts.gov)

Courts across the country are recognizing the potential of digital tools to bridge the gap for self-represented litigants navigating complex legal issues. These tools assist users in understanding the legal process and help them make informed decisions about their case.

Working with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), Philadelphia’s Municipal Court recently introduced two new digital assistants: Tenant Landlord Digital Assistant (T/LDA) and Consumer Debt Information Bot (CODI).

These tools serve as virtual companions—offering step-by-step guidance and plain language explanations—for self-represented litigants in landlord-tenant and consumer debt cases, adding Philadelphia to the growing list of courts embracing innovative technology solutions to improve court services.

“The majority of our litigants are pro se,” said Judge Gregory Yorgey-Girdy, supervising judge of the Civil Division, Philadelphia Municipal Court. “This technology gives them the keys to unlock the doors of the legal process and allows easier access to the Philadelphia Municipal Court.”

Digital Assistants

Philadelphia’s new digital assistants guide court users through the landlord/tenant and consumer debt process. By answering questions about their situation, court users receive a customized “just-in-time” plan in a friendly, plain language document they can bring to court.

“There is no shortage of legal information online. Sometimes the challenge for users is managing it all and determining what to do next,” said NCSC Court Management Consultant Aubrie Souza. “Digital assistants enable individuals to focus on the next steps in their case rather than figuring out how to digest and piece together information found online.”

Read the full article here: Growing use of digital assistants and virtual tools to improve A2J | NCSC

Youth across the country are facing unprecedented challenges, from community violence to mental health issues to school absences.  These new resources from the CSG Justice Center provide state leaders, policymakers, and youth justice professionals with critical data and evidence-based solutions to address the growing challenges faced by youth and the systems designed to support them:

• Navigating Concerns on Youth Crime, Violence, and Justice: What Does the Data Say?  Details the most recent national data trends on youth mental health, arrests, violence, court cases, incarceration, and disparities along with key implications and recommendations for needed policy, practice, and funding improvements. These resources provide state leaders, policymakers, and youth justice and service professionals with critical data and evidence-based solutions to address the growing challenges faced by youth and the systems designed to support them.  Also, save your spot for the accompanying webinar. Register here: https://csg-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AyhQKk3oR7quTEIDuNQHWg#/registration

• Support or Court: How States Respond to Youth Who Commit Noncriminal Offenses and Children Who Break the Law. Many states are experiencing severe service and staffing shortages and youth are often pushed into the juvenile justice system, not because they are a public safety risk, but to receive needed services. This report focuses on youth who commit status offenses and children who break the law (minimum age of juvenile court jurisdiction), shares findings from a 50-state scan, and provides key takeaways and a call to action for more effective, systemic, community-based responses. 

• From First Offense to Future Arrests: The Impact of Probation on Youth.  This study by The Pew Charitable Trusts, based on data provided by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and analyzed by researchers at the CSG Justice Center and Pew, shows that diverting youth from probation could improve juvenile justice system efficiency and public safety outcomes.  

On June 18th, 2024, President Biden nominated LaKresha Moultrie to the SJI Board of Directors.  Ms. Moultrie has led a career dedicated to service in the Delaware community.  She currently serves as Vice President of Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Chief Enterprise Risk Officer at Delaware State University, one of America’s leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this role, she provides legal counsel to the University and its Board of Trustees. She also uses her legal expertise to assess critical issues facing the institution. Recently, she helped guide the University through the acquisition of Wesley College, which gained the University the distinction as the first HBCU to ever acquire a college or university.

Prior to joining Delaware State University, Ms. Moultrie led a successful career at the Delaware Department of Justice where she began as an entry-level prosecutor and progressed to Chief Deputy Attorney General, second-in-command of the office. Her career at the Department included trial and appellate work in all the State courts.  She received her law degree from Delaware Law School of Widener University and her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Pace University. Moultrie’s professional accomplishments and charitable activities were acknowledged when she was recognized by The Delaware Business Times as part of the Class of 2015 “40 Under 40” and one of the “40 Most Empowering Women in Business” in 2021.