As most of us recognize, public trust and confidence in the courts are an integral and indispensable aspect of our judicial system. However, studies show that our public’s confidence is waning. A 1999 national survey, “How the Public Views the State Courts,” conducted by the National Center for State Courts, revealed some interesting results. Twenty three percent of the survey participants had a “great deal” of trust in the courts in their communities. This is compared to 45% who had the same trust in the medical profession and 43% who indicated a great deal of trust and confidence in the local police. Only 10% of respondents felt the courts in their communities handled cases in an “excellent” manner. Twenty percent said criminal cases were handled poorly and 21% said that family relations cases were handled in a “poor” manner. Forty four percent of the respondents agreed that the courts are “out-of-touch” with what’s going on in their communities.

Public trust and confidence in the courts are enhanced when the public forms expectations of the courts based on an accurate understanding of the proper role of the courts. Toward this end, the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida has embarked on a project to further educate the public on the role and function of the court system. Together, under the leadership and direction of each Circuit Representative, the Conference will be working to establish teams in each of the 20 judicial circuits. These teams will develop a strategy to enhance and expand existing outreach efforts in the judicial circuit and to improve the availability of information about the court system. The teams’ goals will be the following:

Education:

The PECT will seek to educate the general public on the structure and function of the courts through forums and access to information. The PECT will coordinate its efforts with the local bar associations and the local schools in the preparation and dissemination of educational materials. The PECT should seek to provide speakers for schools, civic organizations and community groups to explain the courts’ functions, procedures and limitations.

Create a Media Response/Relations Team:

The PECT will endeavor to create a Media Response/Relations team to serve as a rapid two-way communication between the legal/judicial community and the media.

Create a Legislative Relations Team:

The PECT will establish and maintain a working relationship with members of the legislative delegations and legislative staff and serve as a resource on legislative issues pertaining to the operation and administration of the court system.

Develop Public Service Announcements:

The PECT will develop public service announcements to educate the public on matters of community interest, i.e., DUI programs, collection court, small claims court, domestic violence, etc.

Solicit Input and Comments:

The PECT will solicit input and comments from members of the community, the media and other branches of government, to improve the efficiency of the courts.

The Circuit Representative of each respective circuit or his/her designee will serve as the chairperson of each PECT and will coordinate membership of each PECT. Efforts will be made to coordinate with existing programs already established through the local bar associations. Depending on the size of each judicial circuit, the PECT may be organized into smaller teams, either by county or region. Membership will vary from circuit to circuit and may consist of:

An editor or representative of each major and alternative newspaper within the circuit,

A representative from each major television station within the circuit,

The Chief Judge of the circuit or his/her designee,

A judge from the District Court of Appeal within the circuit,

The Public Defender or his/her designee,

The State Attorney or his/her designee,

A State Senator within the circuit,

A member of the Florida House of Representatives within the circuit,

A Florida Bar Board of Governor member or designee,

The local Bar Association President or designee,

A School Board member or designee, and

One or more community leaders.

Each Circuit Representative or his/her designee may decide to develop smaller teams to consist of (a) the media, divided into print and electronic; (b) the legislature; and (c) the schools.