🚨 Spring internship apps are open! Join the Council for Court Excellence for hands-on experience in law, policy & justice. 🗓️ Apply by Nov 1 → courtexcellence.org/careers-and-internships

On Sept 30, we brought together law, journalism & advocacy leaders for our Bench-Bar-Media Dialogue on immigration courts—spotlighting accountability & transparency. Grateful to all who joined the discussion!

Learn more about U.S. immigration court operations, proceedings, and challenges. Tomorrow night, we’re thrilled to present our Bench-Bar-Media Dialogue event, “Immigration and Justice: The U.S. Legal System Most Americans Never See.” Get tickets here: secure.qgiv.com/for/...

📣 Join GWBCC & the Second Chance Hiring Alliance for a convo on second chance hiring. Learn how inclusive hiring strengthens businesses, expands talent, & builds community. 🗓️ Sept 30 · 3:30 PM ET 📍 Virtual 🔗 Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #SecondChanceHiring #InclusiveWorkforce

We’ve released 5 fact sheets breaking down the laws shaping D.C.’s legal system. Each one is designed to give you the facts, the context, and the data you need to understand what’s at stake. Read the full set of fact sheets at www.courtexcellence.org/news-items/2...

270+ law firms, businesses & advocates joined CCE in urging the Senate to reject bills that would strip D.C. residents of judicial independence & local input. Read the full letter: www.courtexcellence.org/news-items/j... #HomeRule #DCStatehood

What happens when we give people a true second chance? Under D.C.’s IRAA & SLAA laws, those convicted <25 y/o who’ve served 15+ yrs can ask a judge to reconsider their sentence. The results speak for themselves: hundreds released, <3% rearrested, & huge savings vs $44k/year cost of incarceration.

D.C.’s courts must stay independent. The Council for Court Excellence urges community members, businesses & orgs to sign a letter asking the Senate to reject H.R. 5125 & H.R. 5179. ✅ Org & individual signatories welcome 📅 Deadline: Mon, Sept. 22, 12 noon ✍️ Sign here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1pH3...

What’s the difference between sealing and expungement? 🔒 Sealing keeps a record hidden from public view but available to law enforcement. 🗑️ Expungement erases it entirely, treating it as if it never happened. Read more: www.courtexcellence.org/news-items/2...

We’ve shared before about the free downloadable resource from SCHA, “The Workforce Solution." But you’re probably wondering: What’s in it? Who is it for? How can it be used? We have all your answers! Check out the video, then download the SCHA's second chance hiring FAQ: scha-dc.org/theworkforce...

Our Executive Director, Misty Thomas Zaleski, spoke with @dcnewsnow.bsky.social on the topic of trying youth as adults in D.C. 👇 Hear her remarks at the 10 min mark: www.dcnewsnow.com/video/trumps...

Join CCE for "Immigration and Justice: The U.S. Legal System Most Americans Never See." With expert panelists representing @npr.org , @nytimes.com, @rcfp.org, and Wilkes Legal, this is sure to be a fascinating and powerful conversation you won't want to miss. secure.qgiv.com/for/bench-ba...

What makes D.C.’s Youth Rehabilitation Act different from traditional sentencing? ⚖️ 👉 Read the full fact sheet to learn how the YRA works, how it compares to other states, and what the research really says: www.courtexcellence.org/news-items/2...

REMINDER: Free summit on elder guardianship with valuable info & resources, happening this Thursday! The Future of Elder Well-Being Summit September 18, 2025 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Kellogg Conference Center, Gallaudet University campus Register here: app.certain.com/profile/form...

In D.C., children as young as 15 can be prosecuted as adults under Title 16 laws. ✔️ Over 230 youth have been sentenced as adults since 2015 ✔️ Nearly 1 in 3 Title 16 prosecutions end without conviction ✔️ Research shows charging kids as adults doesn’t deter crime—and actually increases reoffending

Over the past 28 years, the Justice Potter Stewart Award has recognized some of the brightest minds and finest justice reform advocates in D.C. Learn more about past honorees and submit your nominee for the 2026 JPS Awards here. www.courtexcellence....

D.C.-area employers: Join GWBCC for “Hiring Beyond Barriers: Second Chance Hiring Practices in Today’s Labor Market,” a webinar with guest speakers from the SCHA on second chance hiring benefits for businesses and communities. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - 2 PM: us06web.zoom.us/webi...

Should your freedom before trial depend on how much money you have? 🤔 In D.C., cash bail is largely eliminated—instead, judges decide release based on risk to public safety and likelihood of returning to court. Keep reading to see the results... 👀

Last week, the SCHA hosted an event convening government agencies, workforce development programs, local businesses, and justice-impacted residents to discuss the urgent need for programs that promote employment opportunities for D.C.'s returning citizens. (1/3)

Lots of birthdays to celebrate as we reach the end of the summer season! Wishing Misty Thomas Zaleski, Sharon Terrill, and Gene Downing all the best for another trip around the sun (and many more to come!) ☀️ Happy birthday — thank you for everything you do to make CCE the wonderful team it is.

Exciting news for our upcoming Bench-Bar-Media Dialogue on immigration courts! 🎙️ Leila Fadel, host of @npr.org's 'Morning Edition' and 'Up First', will moderate.

Join us in extending a warm welcome to CCE’s 2025-2026 Open Horizon Civil Justice Fellow, Tariq Hardiman! A recent graduate of Howard University School of Law, Tariq is interested in using research, outreach, and written advocacy to expand access to justice. www.courtexcellence....

“This Findings Friday, we’re examining Chapter 8: The Grievance Process. Residents filed over 4,200 complaints in one year—nearly 12 a day—mostly about staff actions and health care. Health care, staff issues, and food service topped formal grievances. Yet few were deemed ‘emergencies’ by DOC.

Exciting update to our upcoming Bench-Bar-Media Dialogue! We’re pleased to announce that the event will be moderated by Leila Fadel, host of @npr.org's Morning Edition and Up First. Join us September 30th for “Immigration and Justice: The US Legal System Most Americans Never See.”

If you haven't submitted a nomination for the 2026 JPS Awards yet, now is a great time to do so 🏆 Share your nominee's achievements and contributions to the D.C. community today by filling out this short nomination form: ow.ly/vfEf50WJP3T

Thank you to Dean Emerita Shelley Broderick, who serves as Chair of the CCE-convened District Task Force on Jails and Justice, for this important op-ed in the @51st.news. 51st.news/opinion-dc-n...

Is there someone whose commitment and work to improve D.C.'s legal system you admire? Nominate them for the 2026 JPS award here! ow.ly/vfEf50WJP3T

Save the date: FREE upcoming event hosted by D.C. Courts! The Future of Elder Well-Being Summit: Exploring Capacity, Alternatives to Guardianship and DC Resources Thursday, September 18, 2025 8 AM to 5 PM Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University Registration link coming soon. Stay tuned!

Registration is open! Join CCE for a Bench-Bar-Media Dialogue exploring the inner workings of U.S. immigration courts. Panelists will share insights on how these courts operate, the judge selection process, and tensions between immigration and federal courts. RSVP: secure.qgiv.com/for/bench-ba...

Today’s #FindingsFriday covers Chapter 7 of the report “Urgent Need for New D.C. Jail”, which examines the use of solitary confinement at the DC jail, which is used at a rate almost twice that of the national average.

Nominations are open for the 2026 Justice Potter Stewart Award! Nominees should be individuals or organizations whose work has made a significant contribution to the law, the legal system, the courts, or the administrative process in D.C. Submit your recommendation: ow.ly/Hk1U50WJP3P

CCE Policy Director Tracy Velázquez spoke to ABC 7 News on how the federal takeover will impact D.C.'s overcrowded, underfunded detention facilities and whether it would improve safety in the city. She called for federal resources to be added down the line — not just on the surface streets of D.C.

ATTENTION‼️Data released this morning by the D.C. DOC shows that the population of the D.C. Jail has already risen since the #FederalTakeover of D.C.’s police force earlier this week.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us on September 30th for our Bench-Bar-Media Dialogue event, “Immigration and Justice: The US Legal System Most Americans Never See.” Discussion: ➡️ How immigration courts differ from others; ➡️ Judge selection process and who they answer to; ➡️ Transparency challenges

Earlier this week, President Trump criticized cities with cashless bail as “disasters.” Yet, data shows a different story. Watch CCE Policy Director Tracy Velazquez discuss on NBC 4 News why eliminating cashless bail would negatively impact D.C. Full segment: www.nbcwashington.com/video/news/l...

Regarding Trump's recent promises to fill D.C. Courts' judicial vacancies, CCE Executive Director Misty Thomas Zaleski shares with @law360.bsky.social that "the biggest problem” facing the vacancy crisis is the Senate.

Today, CCE issued a statement in response to the recent actions and proposal by the President and other federal officials. Read the thread for highlights or read the full statement here: www.courtexcellence.... 1/7

DYK: 75% of Black Americans have no estate planning documents in place. @washingtoninformer.com explores how the impact of not having a comprehensive plan is multiplied for residents of color, who are often already at a socioeconomic disadvantage. (1/3) www.washingtoninformer.com/legacy-couns...

On behalf of Lillian's Southern Box Catering, a member of the Second Chance Hiring Alliance, we are excited to share the two upcoming events below. ⬇️ (1/4)

Today’s #FindingsFriday highlights Chapter 6 of our report, Urgent Need for a New D.C. Jail. This section explores barriers to visitation for residents and their families, especially issues related to technology, accessibility, connection, and fees. Read more: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9#FindingsFriday 1/2

Everyone makes mistakes. But should mistakes define us? At the SCHA’s “Talent Beyond Barriers” event this past April, Gabi Smith, Program Director for Career Shop DC, implores listeners to see returning residents not for what they did, but for who they are: hard-working people who deserve a chance.

Each year, thousands of D.C. residents, disproportionately Black, return from prison or jail seeking employment, but often encounter outdated hiring practices that discriminate against individuals with criminal records. (1/3)

Welcome to Part 2 of Chapter 5 from our report on the D.C. Jail! We cover the D.C. Department of Corrections’ handling of substance use disorders, gender-specific healthcare, prescriptions, and medical appointment attendance. #FindingsFriday Read more: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9#FindingsFriday 1/2

From helping management with day-to-day organization to supporting project research and community outreach efforts, these incredible students do a whole lot behind the scenes here at CCE. Who are they? Our interns! And they’re the best interns out there. (1/2)

Chapter 5 of our recent report on the conditions of the D.C. Jail details the facilities’ healthcare policies and administration. In this #FindingsFriday, we cover behavioral health. To learn more, see our full report here: ow.ly/40W350WuYp9#FindingsFriday, 1/2

DEADLINE UPCOMING📢 Calling all graduate and law students — our Policy Internship applications are closing on August 1st! For students who are not receiving course credit or other funding, CCE will provide a stipend. Find more info about our #PolicyInternship and #ApplyNow: ow.ly/ZqsQ50WsGYy

Join Neighbors for Justice on July 27 for a fun afternoon cookout at Watkins Regional Park 🔆 The Reentry Cookout is an opportunity for reentry organizations, credible messengers, returning citizens, and supporters to connect in a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere. RSVP to contacts listed below ⬇️

We’re honored to welcome Jelahn Stewart as the new CCE Board of Directors Chair. With an impressive career in ethics and compliance leadership, Jelahn currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer at Leidos. Congratulations, Jelahn!

Today’s #FindingsFriday covers Chapter 4: Violence and Use of Force in the recent report “Urgent Need for New D.C. Jail." CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive topics are discussed in the accompanying infographics. Please view at your own discretion. (1/4)

Congratulations to CCE’s new Officers, Executive Committee members, and the firms, businesses, and individuals joining our Board of Directors! We're excited for your leadership, expertise, and input for the upcoming 2025-2026 term.