Rotary Program 4/27/05

Program Chair - Eddie Coleman

Program - Michael Losavio of the Education Committee of the Administrative Office of the Courts

Michael spoke about the important role of education and training for the many judges at the various levels of the court system in Kentucky. He said that the Court of Justice has over 3,000 employees in the state, and most are there as support personnel for the judges. Their role is to help the judges do the best job they can.

He compared the work of the judges to the Rotary Four-Way Test and its emphasis on what is true and fair. It is not always easy to determine what is true and fair, so the judges try to get all the training they can to achieve that end.

Hundreds of changes are made to case law every year. Also the Legislature makes many changes. For example, in 2004 the Legislature made over 800 changes, and that was a low year. In addition, there are changes made at the federal level that influence the work of the judges.

The Education Committee gives training in all these changes. Much of their education is "active learning" where practical training is given in the actual working of the court. Many times they are able to secure judges to teach judges. Judges are required to have 25 hours of continuing education every two years.

Some of the courses being offered include: a course on drunk driving and impaired driving, a course on strategic planning, and administrative seminar on how to conduct the administrative affairs of the courts, judicial colleges, a conference for court clerks, and training for the Court of Appeals staff and judges. Another important course is the training in how to handle young children as witnesses.

Michael provided copies of the 2004 Annual Report of the Kentucky Court of Justice and pointed out many interesting items in the report. He explained that the District Courts have a huge volume of cases, so their training focuses on docket management and moving cases quickly but fairly. The Circuit Courts deal with much more complex issues, so their training relates to their particular kinds of cases.