Articles for court professionals

Upstream is a judicially led, community-based, facilitated process that brings together professionals from court, child welfare, juvenile justice, schools, families with lived experience, and other community partners to discuss families in their community — who they are, what they need, and how they come into contact with the juvenile court.

The National Council of State Court Behavioral Health Administrators brought together state court behavioral health leaders to share emerging practices, address system challenges, and advance effective responses at the intersection of behavioral health and state courts on Aug. 4-5 in Indianapolis.

Rising workload pressures and the promise of AI are among the themes outlined in the 2026 Survey of State Courts Report. Based on research conducted by the TRI/NCSC AI Consortium for Policy & Law, the report highlights areas to watch for in state court staffing, operations, and technology.

Find out how our experts can help your court leverage the power of AI for use in document processing, data analytics, chatbots, litigant portals, and more.

Early 2025 caseload data reveal a continuing shift in the composition of state court workloads. For the fourth consecutive year, civil filings are growing faster than criminal filings, widening a trend that first emerged as courts recovered from pandemic-era disruptions. At the same time, courts may be seeing the first signs of a slowing post-pandemic recovery, as clearance rates decline after several years of improvement.

NCSC's AI Readiness & Literacy Workshop offers interactive instruction for foundational learning and policy development to leadership and key stakeholders. The hands-on, interactive workshop helps participants build an understanding of artificial intelligence, establish governance and policy considerations, and identify practical opportunities for responsible AI adoption within court operations.

Helping judges evaluate AI-generated content and ensure fair, informed decisions that preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings.

Discover how civil fee waivers can remove financial barriers to court participation. "Civil Fee Waivers: National Trends and Best Practices" provides an overview of how courts administer fee waivers, including eligibility standards, proof requirements, and decision-making authority. The report also covers best practices, provides examples of existing applications, and offers implementation tips.

When concerns or complaints arise about the well-being of individuals under guardianship or conservatorship, courts need a clear, effective response to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain public trust.

Additional guidance is needed to address the significant increase in mental health treatment courts across the United States and the realities of serving individuals with serious mental illness.

America's 250th celebration offers an opportunity for courts to strengthen connections with the communities they serve through education, outreach, and conversation.

The Working in Courts online course educates and inspires court employees by helping them understand the essential role courts play in society and find meaning in their daily work.

NCSC's Data Literacy for Courts course gives court professionals practical skills to read, interpret, and use court data — no data background required.

Emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are still developing as people and need support from the justice system that addresses their unique needs. Courts can build community partnerships and promote connections that help young people thrive.

Courts can help the public navigate the sharp increase in scam text messages, emails, and phone calls.