In recent years, the JTC has received recommendations from the national court community on a variety of topics where technology guidance would be helpful. Examples include: Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Digital Evidence, Pretrial Release, Judicial Tools, Cyber Security, and Cloud Computing. A variety of working groups with subject matter experts, focus groups with court managers, and quick response teams have been used to research and write resource bulletins to share current technology information with courts.
The latest JTC Resource Bulletin, approved for publication in December 2018, is Social Media Marketing for Courts.
The Resource Bulletin Abstract makes the case for courts to strongly consider engaging with social media as a method of ensuring access to the courts:
“Social media is one of the most powerful and cost-effective, albeit underutilized, marketing tools for sharing the court’s message. Courts, however, have been slow to tap into the unique advantages of popular platforms. More and more Americans look to social media as their primary source of news, information, and entertainment, as well as social connection. Public discourse today happens on social media. Failing to include social media in the court’s communication strategy can only widen the gap between what the public expects and what the court delivers.”Although many courts have adopted some use of social media, it is striking to learn that two in every ten state courts still have no social media presence at all. The ubiquitous nature of platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Flickr provide numerous opportunities for courts to more effectively communicate with the public and with active court users.
The resource bulletin reminds us that social media is all about creativity, and it is important for courts to ask a few basic questions before determining how best to leverage social media. For instance:
- Who is the court trying to reach?
- Where is the audience likely to be found?
- What is the message?
- How can the information be most effectively communicated?
Several examples of “value-added” court outreach to the community are also provided, ranging from how to appropriately dress for court appearances, to video clips on how to file a case or what to expect in court, to providing tools for self-represented litigants.
Helpful guidance on how to organize and manage a court’s social media presence is also provided in the Governance section of the bulletin. Often, courts jump into creative technology projects without giving sufficient thought to how a project will be sustained over time; however, Social Media Marketing for Courts provides a realistic discussion of internal and external risks to consider as courts begin or expand their use of social media.
Hopefully, these brief thoughts will encourage you to view the JTC website and read this social media resource bulletin. If you have thoughts about how courts can more effectively use social media, or if you have ideas about other technology issues JTC should consider, we would enjoy hearing from you.
