Criminal justice

Accurate and complete criminal history information is essential to informed decision-making across the justice system. Yet data gaps, including missing or inconsistent information, create challenges for courts and justice system partners. The National Open Court Data Standards (NODS) can help courts address these challenges. Its standardized definitions and common data framework provide a foundation for more consistent, reliable data exchange.

Courts have a crucial role in dismantling barriers and increasing access to record relief initiatives designed to reduce the collateral consequences of criminal records and support successful reentry.

Browse NCSC's map to see a state-by-state summary of recent studies, programs, laws, rules, grants, and litigation regarding court fines, fees, and pretrial practices.

Explore the interactive dashboard for guardianship and conservatorship monitoring statutes. Find reporting requirements, details and more. Great for legal professionals.

NCSC's toolkit, case studies, and other resources explores efforts to refine pretrial practices and includes a bench card to help judges determine the ability of people to pay their legal financial obligations.

Expanding and enhancing treatment courts through training, technical assistance, and evaluation.

Find expert resources on caseflow management to help move efficiently through your dockets while ensuring procedural fairness. Ideal for court staffers.

Collaborating with city stakeholders, community partners, and residents to understand community priorities and how the program is experienced in practice.

Conducting comprehensive program evaluations and data reporting while managing daily operations of a statewide veterans treatment court.

Record relief is a critical tool for reducing the collateral consequences of criminal records and supporting successful reentry. This guide examines the challenges of accessing expungement and sealing, highlights policy solutions, and provides recommendations for courts seeking to improve record relief processes.

Identifying statewide recommendations to improve felony case processing practices for consistent adoption.

Our updated "Pretrial Reform Toolkit" explores efforts to refine pretrial practices, and a bench card that helps judges with ability-to-pay determinations.

Identifying ways to reduce or eliminate criminal fees in various case types.

Navigating the complex landscape of legal financial obligations with diverse stakeholders with conflicting interests to reduce disproportionate financial burdens.