General Jurisdiction (JS 610) – Spring

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, various media, 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 and the media.

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 1^st day of class.