SJI Newsletter

April 2021 | Volume 31, No. 7

 

2020 Data Shed Light on Pandemic-Related Backlogs

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) researchers recently have received data from 

12 states that show how the pandemic impacted case filings and dispositions in 2020.

The data – the first batch that covers all of 2020 – reveals two noteworthy findings:

• The number of criminal, traffic and juvenile cases is expected to return to normal 

this year, and no surge in cases is expected; but

• Family and civil case filings are expected to swell this year and may challenge 

courts, particularly in the areas of debt-collection, eviction and foreclosure.

Although the 12 states are geographically diverse, NCSC researcher Diane Robinson 

cautioned that the sample size is not large enough to make conclusions about the nation as 

a whole. Robinson and NCSC researcher Sarah Gibson, who analyzed the data, recently 

published a paper about the data as well as an interactive dashboard.
“Civil and domestic relations cases are so low in 2020 (compared to 2019) that we strongly 

suspect that these cases are going to come in (in 2021 or 2022),” said Robinson, who 

added that they have been labeled “shadow cases.” She said she and others suspect that 

many people without lawyers assumed that they couldn’t file cases last year, or they didn’t 

know how to navigate the new environment that required a greater familiarity with 

technology. The “huge unknown,” she said, is how many of those people will file cases this 

year because they view courts as having re-opened and because they have become more 

familiar with technology.

Another unknown is how much of the drop in cases in 2020 was tied to the pandemic and 

the economic downturn. There may have been fewer civil cases, like slip-and-fall lawsuits, 

because people were out and about less. There may have been fewer family cases 

because those tend to drop when the economy is slumping. One other area of concern is 

dependency or child maltreatment cases. Many cases of child abuse and neglect begin 

with a call to a child abuse hotline by a mandated reporter. Because many children were 

not in school last year, they had less contact with adults outside their homes. As more 

children return to school, the number of child maltreatment reports – and dependency 

cases filed in the courts – is expected to rise. If and when a surge occurs, Robinson said 

she expects it will be a gradual increase that will begin this year – if it already hasn’t – and 

continue into 2022.

“I don’t think the dam is going to break,” she said, “but I think there will be an increase in 

flow.” The NCSC will continue to ask states this year to provide data that shed more light 

on how pandemic-related closings have impacted court filings and dispositions, and will 

report on the findings.
Enhanced Juvenile Justice Guidelines

Demonstration Sites Project

SEEKING IMPERFECT JUVENILE COURTS

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic impede or stall your juvenile court improvement process? 

Have you identified opportunities to change practice post-pandemic? Whether you are just 

starting a new court improvement initiative or need assistance to restart your previous 

work, NCJFCJ has a unique opportunity to assist your court.

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), with funding from 

the State Justice Institute (SJI), is seeking juvenile courts that are interested in participating 

in the Enhanced Juvenile Justice Guidelines Demonstration Sites Project. If your court is 

interested in becoming a demonstration site, please click on the link below to complete the 

application. Applications are due by April 30, 2021.

What does it mean to be a demonstration site?

The jurisdictions that participate in the Enhanced Juvenile Justice Guidelines 

Demonstration Sites Project will engage in a two-year process to identify and address 

issues in adjudicating and delivering services in juvenile delinquency cases. The Enhanced 

Juvenile Justice Guidelines identify many different areas that courts can consider for 

improvement including improving timelines for case processing; using risk/need 

assessment information; reducing the use of fines and fees; implementing alternatives to 

detention; collaborating with the education system to reduce school pathways to the justice 

system; identifying and addressing gaps in services, and many more. Jurisdictions who 
participate in the project will have access to regular assessment of court practice, technical 

assistance, strategic planning support, expert national training and trainers, and a peer 

support network. Please note, that while there is no site-specific funding available you will 

receive all of the support and tools you need to change your court practice.

Begin Application 

Who should apply?

The project is open to all courts that work with delinquent offenses. Your program should 

be judicial lead and be prepared to bring together a group of system stakeholders who are 

committed to changing court practice. A commitment from your lead judge and the approval 

of your presiding judge is required. Tribal courts are encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Pearce, Senior Site Manager, NCJFCJ

at jpearce@ncjfcj.org or (775) 507-4799.
What is the Opioid Response Network?

The Opioid Response Network is a group of diverse individuals and 40 national 

organizations working collaboratively and led by the American Academy of Addiction 

Psychiatry to address the opioid crisis and stimulant use across the country. The Opioid 

Response Network provides free training and education in evidence-based practices in the 

prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance use disorders.

Visit www.OpioidResponseNetwork.org to submit a request to enhance your own efforts.

The Opioid Response Network works with states, health professionals, communities, 

organizations, healthcare centers, individuals, and justice and corrections settings. To 

support the development and delivery of resources and educational opportunities for those 

working in across justice and corrections and for the individuals they serve, the Opioid 

Response Network works in collaboration with several organizations forming a Justice and 

Corrections Stakeholder Committee.

Opioid Response Network Justice and Corrections Collaborators

These organizations include the:

• Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

• American Probation and Parole Association

• Major County Sheriffs of America

• National Center for State Courts

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

• National Sheriff's Association

• State Justice Institute

• The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative

The Opioid Response Network:

• Trained 45 state champion judges tapped by their Chief Justices from 48 states in 

substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery
• Provided support for a judge in rural Tennessee to develop an implementation plan 

to start providing medications for treating opioid use disorder in a community jail

• Trained over 600 healthcare physicians in California corrections facilities in 

motivational interviewing

• Facilitated a conference in Rhode Island for 230 people representing 34 states to 

learn about a program that reduced post incarceration drug overdose deaths by 

more than 60% Opioid Response Network Justice and Corrections Collaborators

Now, how can we help you? Submit a request at www.OpioidResponseNetwork.org to 

start the conversation.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI083343 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in 

written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of 

the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.
New 50-State Analysis to Focus on Critical Role of Juvenile 

Court Judges

Juvenile court judges are fundamental players in promoting public safety and improving 

outcomes for the youth who enter their courtrooms. A new project launched this week by 

The Council of State Governments Justice Center and the National Council on Juvenile 

and Family Court Judges will conduct an unprecedented 50-state analysis of state juvenile 

court policies and rules.

The analysis will inform a national report—to be released in spring 2022—with findings and 

recommendations to ensure that juvenile court judges’ decisions are in the best interest of 

youth. By adopting a common set of judicial policies and practices, states can position 

judges to make effective decisions and drive improvement efforts that promote a more 

effective and equitable juvenile justice system. State Justice Institute is delighted to be 

funding such an impactful and vital project.

To read more about this project visit:

https://csgjusticecenter.org/2021/03/29/new-50-state-analysis-to-focus-on-critical-role-ofjuvenile-court-judges/?mc_cid=33c347aeca&mc_eid=f470ba5595.
The State Justice Institute is a federally-funded, non-profit corporation established by federal law in 1984 

to improve the quality of justice in the state courts.

SJI Board of Directors

Chair

John D. Minton, Jr.

Chief Justice

Supreme Court of Kentucky

Frankfort, KY

Vice Chair

Daniel J. Becker

State Court Administrator (ret.)

Utah AOC

Salt Lake City, UT

Secretary

Gayle A. Nachtigal

Senior Circuit Court Judge

Washington County Circuit Court

Hillsboro, OR

Treasurer

David V. Brewer

Justice

Oregon Supreme Court

Salem, OR

Jonathan Lippman

Chief Judge of New York (ret.)

of Counsel

Latham & Watkins, LLP

New York, NY

Chase T. Rogers

Chief Justice (ret.)

Supreme Court of Connecticut

Partner

Pitney Day, LLP

Hartford, CT

Wilfredo Martinez

Senior Judge

State of Florida

Orlando, FL

Marsha J. Rabiteau

Executive Director

Center for Human Trafficking Court Solutions

Bloomfield, CT

Hernan D. Vera

Principal

Bird Marella P.C.

Los Angeles, CA

Isabel Framer

President

Language Access Consultants, LLC

Copley, OH

Jonathan D. Mattiello

Executive Director

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