New course helps court employees connect daily work to public trust

The National Center for State Court’s new online course, “Working in Courts,” helps new employees see a connection they might otherwise miss: the link between their daily work and the court’s broader mission of delivering justice that is fair, accessible, and trustworthy for everyone.

The three-hour course builds a foundational understanding of courts and promotes purpose and pride in public service through four modules:

• Getting started: Lays the groundwork for court employees’ role in serving the public, upholding the rule of law, and supporting the judicial system.

• Introduction to the courts: Traces the history and development of the U.S. court system and its place in American society.

• Purposes and responsibilities of courts: Examines the core purposes, responsibilities, and foundational principles that enable courts to do their work.

• Public trust and confidence and the role of court employees: Shows how each employee’s role and daily interactions shape public perception of, and confidence in, the justice system.

Unique to the course are journaling opportunities that give employees a chance to pause and reflect on the meaningful work that comes with preserving trust, fairness, and equal access.

The “Working in Courts” course, developed by NCSC with a grant from the State Justice Institute, advances NCSC’s Strategic Agenda priority to support fair and impartial courts.
No registration or login is required. Access the free online course in NCSC’s learning management system at https://ncsc.courtlms.org/catalog/info/id:328.