Court Rules and Procedures: Technological Innovation

Question of Ethics: A Conversation on Courts and Ethics – August 25, 2022 Episode

Brought to You in Cooperation with NACM

The COVID Pandemic brought the use of technology to the forefront of our conversation worldwide. Technology is expanding at breakneck speed. Is it out stripping courts’ ability to manage new technological innovations?

Relevant Ethics Canons

Canon 1 Avoiding Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All Activities

1.1 Performing Court Duties

A court professional faithfully carries out all appropriately assigned duties, striving at all times to perform the work diligently, efficiently, equitably, thoroughly, courteously, honestly, openly, and within the scope of the court professional’s authority.

Canon 2 Performing the Duties of Position Impartially and Diligently

2.1 Independent Judgment

A court professional avoids relationships that would impair one’s impartiality and independent judgment. A court professional is vigilant concerning conflicts of interest and ensures that outside interests are never so extensive or of such a nature as to impair one’s ability to perform court duties.

Discussion Questions

How can courts implement new technological innovations without infringing on Constitutional rights?
How can court administrators convince judges who are resistant to change that technology is beneficial?
What strategies can courts use to alleviate the digital divide?

Listen to the August 25, 2022, Episode of A Question of Ethics Conversation on your way to or from work. In your car or on the bus. 20 Minutes 13 Seconds

Watch the August 25, 2022, Episode of A Question of Ethics Conversation 21 Minutes 21 Seconds

Join the Conversation

Email us at ethics@nacmnet.org

Today’s Host

Courtney Whiteside, Director St. Louis Municipal Court

Today’s Panel

Stay Worby, State Jury Coordinator, Alaska State Court System
Kent Pankey, Senior Planner, Virginia Supreme Court
Karl Thoennes, Court Administrator, 2nd Judicial District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Joe Thommasino, Legal Counsel, Justice Court, Las Vegas, Nevada
Peter C. Kiefer, Retired Court Professional

Episode Time Marker Sheet

Published by Peter C. Kiefer

Peter C. Kiefer is a career court veteran with over 40 years experience working with trial courts in Oregon, Arizona, and California. He has been an administrator in general jurisdiction and limited jurisdiction trial courts; he has also worked for state court administrative offices in both Oregon and California. He has consulted with the judicial systems in Liberia, Moldova, and Beirut, Lebanon, as well as being a member of a NACM delegation that visited the People’s Republic of China. Peter graduated from Santa Clara University with his bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and received his Masters of Public Administration with a specialty in Court Administration from the University of Southern California. In 2016 he became a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management. In 2015 Peter was given the NACM Award of Merit. View all posts by Peter C. Kiefer