National Conference of State Trial Judges
Welcome to the web page of the National Conference of State Trial Judges (NCSTJ). As the oldest, largest and most prestigious organization of general jurisdiction state trial judges in the world, we are proud to represent the trial courts of the United States. This coming year we will celebrate our 50th Anniversary of serving the judiciary by providing opportunities for judges to participate in numerous continuing legal education programs throughout the year as well as the widely acclaimed Judicial Clerkship Program at the 2008 Midyear meeting.
The NCSTJ strives to improve the administration of justice through fair and equal access to the courts and inspire public trust and confidence in the judicial system. The Conference will continue to pursue the spirit of 2006-07 ABA President Mathis’ Youth at Risk agenda through programs relating to collaborative courts along with supporting 2007-08 President Neukom’s Rule of Law initiatives. NCSTJ judges have been actively involved in such national issues vital to the judiciary as development of the new Model Code of Judicial Conduct, Independence of the Judiciary, establishment of the ABA Standards for DNA and updating the ABA Standards for Technology in the Courts.
Membership in the National Conference of State Trial Judges provides numerous benefits and opportunities for professional involvement including the following: ABA and Judicial Division publications; attending and teaching continuing judicial education programs; and participation in the lifeblood of organizations and committees such as alternative dispute systems, business and commercial courts, ethics and professionalism, court security, and technology in the courts. If you have not yet joined the NCSTJ, Judicial Division or the ABA, please enrich your professional life and do so today. Click here for more information on becoming a NCSTJ member.
Honorable W Terry Ruckriegle, Chair
Judge Ruckriegle's Welcome Video
Delegate Appointment: click here to appoint your state.
2008-09 NCSTJ Nominees: The Nominating Committee has selected the Conference nominees for the 2008-09 vacancies. Please click here to view the nominee list.
Bylaws: New changes to the NCSTJ bylaws have been proposed. Please click on this link to view the proposed bylaws 
.
2008 Directory of State Judicial Association Officers Now Available: The National Conference of State
Trial Judges is pleased to announce the release
of the 2008 edition of the Directory of State Judicial
Association Officers with Chief Justices and Court
Administrators. Click here to download the file. (This directory is provided
as a benefit of membership to those enrolled in
the National Conference of State Trial Judges. To
join and receive access to this publication, along
with a number of other members-only resources, please
complete our online
membership form.)
NCSC Survey of Judicial Salaries: The NCSC
Survey of Judicial Salaries has been released. View
the results online.
Judicial Mentor Program
The Judicial Division is proud to announce that the registration for the Judicial Mentor Program is now open.
Judges: click here to complete the on-line registration
Attorneys: click here to complete the on-line registration
Annual Meeting: August 7-12, 2008
Midyear Meeting: February 11-17, 2009
The National Conference of State Trial Judges (NCSTJ) is an organization by and for the nation's state court general jurisdiction judges. A powerful force for improvement of the judiciary since its inception in 1958, the NCSTJ is the oldest organization of general jurisdiction state trial judges in continuous existence in the nation. Currently there are over 1,300 members nationwide. The NCSTJ is made up of several working committees that address such issues as judicial immunity, compensation, retirement and benefits, performance evaluation, jury standards, literacy, victims rights and funding for the court system.
The NCSTJ seeks to: improve the administration of justice; promote judicial independence; increase public understanding of the judicial system; provide a national forum to exchange information on common issues; and represent the interest of the nation's general jurisdiction trial judges in building a stronger, more effective system to resolve disputes.
Executive Committee member, Hon. Abraham Gerges, discussed the threats against judicial independence in today’s politics. Read about it here.
Current Chair, Hon. W. Terry Ruckriegle, speaks about maintaining historic courthouses. Read about it here.
Immediate Past Chair, Hon. William D. Missouri, receives the 2006 Distinguished Service Award. Read about it here.
Past Chair, Hon. Herbert B. Dixon Jr., is appointed to the ABA TECHSHOW Planning Board. Read about it here.
Hear a national broadcast interview with Past Chair, Hon. Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. or read about it here
Model Code of Judicial Conduct