Resolutions

Policy Statements & Resolutions

Resolution 30
In Support of Effective Judicial Governance and Accountability

WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) has worked to promote effective judicial governance and accountable, responsive state judicial branch institutions that provide the highest quality of service to the public; and

WHEREAS, the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) has prepared a White Paper on effective judicial governance and accountability and committed itself to full partnership with CCJ in achieving these objectives; and

WHEREAS, achieving and demonstrating accountability help to avoid undue criticism of particular decisions of individual judges and courts, and also deflect challenges to the judiciary's ability to govern its own affairs; and

WHEREAS, the effective governance of state courts requires that they have the capacity to manage their affairs and to develop and implement policies and practices critical to administering the courts; and

WHEREAS, the process of identifying the core elements of judicial accountability will enable state court systems to present to the public and coordinate branches of government a bold vision of the judiciary's role in society and articulate clearly the conditions necessary to providing the highest level of service; and

WHEREAS, many state court systems already pursue various practical strategies to improve institutional relationships with the other branches and promote effective judicial governance and accountability;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Conference of Chief Justices:

1. Endorses the principles and practical strategies set forth in the COSCA White Paper on Effective Judicial Governance and Accountability;
2. Strongly supports a national effort by CCJ and COSCA, in partnership with the National Center for State Courts, to develop a declaration of principles that identifies the core responsibilities for which state court systems can and should be held accountable; and
3. Strongly encourages state court systems to take the lead in shaping the issues with regard to judicial governance and accountability, and in fostering positive institutional relationships with the other branches and justice system constituencies.

Adopted as proposed by the Court Management Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices in Rockport, Maine at its 54th Annual Meeting on August 1, 2002.