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Judicial College reports steep growth in 2024 training offerings and new curricula
Summary
The Education Committee reported that Judicial College offerings rose from 341 in 2023 to 765 in 2024 with 13,332 learners; subcommittees detailed new courses, mentoring expansions, technology and DEI training, and plans for Criminal Law University and on‑demand resources.
Judge Laura S. Ripken, chair of the Education Committee, told the Judicial Council on Nov. 13, 2024, that the Judicial College provided 765 learning opportunities in 2024 — up from 341 in 2023 — and recorded 13,332 total learners.
The 2024 offerings included 181 face‑to‑face courses, 61 webinars, 113 instructor‑led distance learning courses, and 410 self‑paced modules. Subcommittee work highlighted by Ripken included the Judicial Education Subcommittee’s launch of an Unconscious Bias course for judicial officers, two new appointment courses (Judicial Ethics for Judges & Magistrates and Workplace Laws, Regulations, and Policies Affecting Judges and Courts), and plans to debut Criminal Law University and additional on‑demand resources for administrative judges.
Other subcommittee activity reported: the New Trial Judge Mentoring Subcommittee recruited mentors and revised its Mentor Resource Manual; the Magistrate Education Subcommittee is developing a Magistrate Bench Book; the Commissioner Education Subcommittee published a quarterly single‑page newsletter and rotated 283 commissioners through its annual conference; the Professional Development Subcommittee delivered leadership programming, supported the Institute for Court Management, and expanded land records training; and the Technology Education Subcommittee launched TechTalk and supported training for digital case tools.
Justice Fader also acknowledged that the Voir Dire Pilot Program Advisory Board, chaired by Ripken, will operate Jan. 1–June 30, 2025, to test expanded voir dire in eight jurisdictions and gather data to assess statewide adoption.
The Education Committee’s expansion reflects investment in diversified delivery methods and more role‑specific training for judges, magistrates, commissioners, and clerical staff, officials said. Upcoming priorities include on‑demand resources, Criminal Law University, Magistrate Bench Book development, and continued DEI course rollouts.
