Key Issues Facing Rural Courts

Key Issues Promising Approaches Network Seminars Resources

The critical contextual factors unique to rural courts include geographic distance, sparse populations in or near local communities, small numbers of attorneys, small populations from which to select jurors for trials, professional isolation of judges and staff, lack of accessible programs and services, outmoded court facilities that were often constructed in a much earlier era, and on-going interpersonal relationships in local communities that can pose ethical problems.

The types of services that courts in populous areas have frequently come to depend upon for certain types of cases - e.g., substance abuse and mental health treatment services; domestic violence prevention programs - are often non-existent or extremely difficult to access in rural counties. In some rural areas there are significant immigrant populations, and language barriers often create a need for qualified interpreters that can not easily be met.

It is common for rural counties to have part-time judges and (in limited jurisdiction courts) to have non-attorney judges, part-time prosecutors, and very limited law enforcement presence. Based on seminars for rural court practitioners, JMI has identified five key areas of rural court organization and operation that warrant particular attention as part of the Rural Courts Improvement Network:

• Technology - including hardware, software, and information and communications infrastructure and technical support to permit rural courts to realize the benefits of computer technology.
• Improved procedures and practices for cases involving self-represented litigants, including effective use of technology, easily understandable forms and instructions, and training for court staff on providing information and appropriate assistance.
• Language barriers: a need for improved court interpreter services, with qualified and accessible interpreters.
• Greater accessibility of substance abuse and mental health treatment services.
• Better collaboration with the other branches of government, while strengthening the independence of the judiciary in case decision-making and internal court management.