Courting Judicial Excellence: Juvenile Justice Judicial Training Institutes
Join Us for the 2025 Courting Judicial Excellence Juvenile Justice Training Institutes!
Judge Gayl Y. Branum Carr (Ret.), Chief Judge, Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Fairfax, VA and Judge John J. Romero, Jr., (Ret.), Presiding Judge of the Children’s Court Division of the Second Judicial District Court, Albuquerque, NM, served as judicial faculty for the inaugural Courting Judicial Excellence Juvenile Justice Judicial Training Institute in 2024.
“The importance of this juvenile justice training institute is due to the limited, if any, judicial education, or training received by the multitude of judges who decide the hundreds of thousands of cases involving children who are involved in the courts across the nation involving juvenile delinquency matters.” —Judge Gayl Y. Branum Carr (Ret.), Chief Judge, Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Fairfax, VA
- May 19–23, 2025, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- June 23–27, 2025, Anaheim, California
- August 18–22, 2025, Austin, Texas
WHAT ARE THE INSTITUTES?
This intensive and interactive three-and-a-half day training program is designed to provide judicial officers who hear delinquency proceedings with increased knowledge of research, practical tools, and an essential foundation of best practices to use in the youth justice cases coming before them. A nationally renowned faculty of current and former judicial officers and experts from academic and applied settings will share their insights on a host of juvenile justice related topics.
Judges will also have a unique opportunity to meet and share with other bench officers around the country and create professional connections and networks for continual learning. In addition, we will have an optional half-day learning excursion to a local community organization, court, or innovation center.
Finally, judicial officers who attend the training are eligible to apply, on behalf of their jurisdiction, for free follow-up technical assistance from The Council of State Governments Justice Center and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges to help implement specific policy and practice improvements of their choice covered at the Institute. More information about this technical assistance opportunity will be provided to registrants or you can email cgilbert@csg.org to learn more.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This Institutes are designed for all judicial officers who hear delinquency proceedings. If you’re a general jurisdiction judge, new to the juvenile court bench, returning to the juvenile bench after other assignments, or even a more experienced officer looking to learn about the most updated youth justice research and best practices, this training is for you!
WHAT ARE THE DATES AND LOCATIONS?
This year we’ll be conducting three regional Institutes. While we encourage you to register for the Institute in your area, feel free to register for whichever Institute makes sense for your schedule. We hope to have a diverse group of judges at each Institute. Therefore, if we receive more than six registrations from one state, we may contact you to discuss the possibility of a state-specific Institute. If you’re interested in bringing the Institute to your state, please contact Senior Site Manager Jessica Pearce at jpearce@ncjfcj.org for more information.
- May 19–23, 2025, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- June 23–27, 2025, Anaheim, California
- August 18–22, 2025, Austin, Texas
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It’s free to attend a Courting Judicial Excellence Institute. Participants will be responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meals while attending the Institute. Please do not make travel arrangements until after you receive a logistical confirmation email.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Space is limited to 50 judicial officers. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, to ensure diverse geographic representation, registration may be capped at a maximum of 5 participants from any state. Should your state wish to send more than 5 participants, please contact Jessica Pearce, senior site manager, at jpearce@ncjfcj.org to discuss ways to bring the training institute to your state.
All registrations are subject to approval by NCJFCJ. Completing a registration form does not mean you are registered for the conference. Please do not make travel arrangements until after you receive a logistical confirmation email.
Key Staff
