National Center for State Courts

09/02/2026

Incomplete criminal history data can create extra work for court staff—and make it harder for justice system partners to access the timely, accurate information they need.

Our new report with SEARCH explores how the National Open Court Data Standards (NODS) can provide a foundation for stronger criminal history reporting.

While NODS wasn’t originally designed for this purpose, its standardized definitions and common data framework can help courts improve data quality, record completeness, and information exchange across systems.

What does this look like in practice? Join our Sept. 8 webinar, "Advancing Criminal History Reporting Through Dashboards and NODS," to explore how dashboards and NODS implementation can help strengthen court data.

📊 Read the report and register for the webinar.

Learn how courts improve criminal history reporting using NODS data standards to enhance public safety, data quality, and justice system interoperability.

09/02/2026

Constitution Day is coming up—and this year, it’s an especially meaningful opportunity for courts to engage their communities.

On September 17, we’ll recognize Constitution Day as part of the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

It’s an opportunity for courts to help the public better understand the Constitution, the role of an independent judiciary, and the principles that underpin our justice system.

Consider ways to bring civics education into your community through courthouse events, classroom visits, educational resources, or conversations about the role courts play in our democracy.

How will your court mark Constitution Day?

09/01/2026

What if AI’s greatest impact on courts isn’t the technology itself— but better-prepared court users?

In the July TRI/NCSC AI Policy Consortium webinar, Judge Jennifer Bailey, retired from the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida, challenged attendees to imagine more people arriving at court able to:

✔ Understand the process
✔ Organize their information
✔ Complete forms correctly
✔ Clearly explain the legal issue they’re facing

She explained that while this is a dream for many who work in courts, AI has the potential to help make it a reality.

AI-assisted tools could help more people navigate the legal system with greater confidence and clarity. That could improve access to justice for millions. It could also increase demand for court services.

Preparing for AI-assisted litigation isn’t about predicting every change ahead. It’s about ensuring courts remain accessible, efficient, and trusted—no matter how people arrive at the courthouse.

09/01/2026

Across the country, state courts are building new approaches to address behavioral health needs. Leaders are coming together to share what’s working and identify what comes next.

Recently, the National Council of State Court Behavioral Health Administrators held its third annual in-person meeting in Indianapolis, hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court's Office of Behavioral Health and supported by NCSC.

The gathering brought together state court behavioral health leaders to share emerging practices, address system challenges, and advance more effective responses at the intersection of behavioral health and state courts.

With 25 state courts now having state court behavioral health administrators and several more states exploring the role, discussions focused on four areas of action:

🔹 Lead: Build cross-system partnerships and state-level behavioral health leadership.
🔹 Examine: Identify gaps in court policies, practices and community resources.
🔹 Educate: Equip judges and court staff to better understand behavioral health needs.
🔹 Advocate: Support strategies that connect people with appropriate treatment and recovery services.

Administrators also shared state-level achievements, priorities and challenges, including opportunities in civil courts, court-based behavioral health navigators, and partnerships with certified community behavioral health clinics.

We're proud to support this growing network of leaders as they work to strengthen behavioral health responses across state courts and the communities they serve.

09/01/2026

Recovery is possible. Courts can help make it happen.

This National Recovery Month, we recognize the millions of people working toward recovery and the courts, communities, and partners supporting them.

Treatment courts are one example of how courts are helping address substance use and mental health challenges through accountability, support, and connections to treatment.

By bringing together judges, court professionals, treatment providers, and community partners, treatment courts help individuals access the resources they need while promoting safer communities and better outcomes.

Recovery is a journey. Courts have an important role in creating pathways forward.

08/31/2026

One courthouse tour can change how a community sees its courts. The Judiciary of Guam is bringing that idea to life through its America250 Historic Courthouse Tours.

As part of the island's semiquincentennial commemoration, the tours invite the public to explore the Guam Historic Courthouse, learn about the judiciary's role in American history, and participate in an America250 passport activity. An online scheduling tool also makes it easy for visitors to plan their experience.

Programs like this show how courts can strengthen public understanding through education, transparency, and community engagement. By opening their doors and sharing the history behind their work, courts create meaningful opportunities to connect with the communities they serve.

08/31/2026

Seller-plaintiff filings have more than doubled since 2022, increasing from approximately 86,000 cases in 2022 to more than 234,000 cases in early 2025.

Early 2025 Court Statistics Project data show that this category—which typically includes debt collection actions and creditor claims—has become one of the fastest-growing segments of civil court activity.

While landlord-tenant cases remain the largest contract-related filing category, seller-plaintiff cases have experienced the most dramatic recent growth. Landlord-tenant filings also remain elevated following pandemic-era increases, while mortgage foreclosure filings have grown but remain comparatively modest in volume.

Taken together with continued growth in small claims filings, these trends point to a common theme: financial and collection-related disputes are driving much of the recent increase in civil caseloads.

The emerging caseload picture is less a story of expanding civil litigation broadly and more a story of increasing demand for courts to resolve consumer debt, collection actions, and other financially driven claims.

For courts, these trends offer an opportunity to evaluate whether current processes are designed to effectively manage high-volume case types. Reviewing filing practices, case processing workflows, technology tools, and self-help resources can help courts identify opportunities to improve efficiency while supporting meaningful access to justice.

08/31/2026

Nominations are now open for NCSC’s Warren E. Burger Award for Excellence in Court Administration, honoring an individual whose service has contributed to improving the administration of the state courts.

The award recognizes leaders—other than sitting judges—whose impact may be felt at the local, state, or national level.

Know someone whose work is helping courts move forward? Nominate them by Friday, October 16.

Learn more about the award and nomination process.

We proudly recognize judges, individuals, courts, or organizations that have significantly contributed to improving state courts and the administration of justice.

08/28/2026

Timely, accurate criminal history reporting is essential to public safety, informed decision-making, and effective justice system operations.

But how can courts and justice partners better understand reporting performance, data quality and interoperability?

Join us for our next Data Dives webinar, where we’ll demonstrate criminal history reporting dashboards and explore how the National Open Court Data Standards (NODS) can help strengthen data exchange across justice systems.

📅 Tuesday, Sept. 8
🕒 3 p.m. ET

The session will also highlight findings and recommendations from NCSC’s new report, developed in partnership with SEARCH.

08/28/2026

As technology evolves, courts face new challenges in protecting sensitive information, maintaining operations, and strengthening the security of the systems they rely on every day.

At eCourts 2026, judges, court leaders, technology professionals, and industry experts will explore strategies for strengthening cybersecurity practices and preparing for emerging threats.

Sessions will examine how courts can:
🛡️ Protect sensitive data and court operations
🔎 Understand evolving threats and vulnerabilities
🚨 Build proactive approaches to security and incident response

From cybersecurity and technology governance to operational resilience, eCourts 2026 provides opportunities to learn from peers, explore new approaches, and bring practical ideas back to your court.

Join the conversation and discover what’s ahead for court technology.
Register today: e-courts.org.