Gavel Talks

Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program, which began 11 years ago after concerns of racial inequities in police enforcement of low-level offenses were raised, is the focus of this week's episode. Host Dick Ginkowski reports on a p

In the first of this 2-part judicial wellness special, Michigan-based travel agent Caryl Olson joins us to discuss why this may be the right time for travel & how travel agents can help you navigate COVID protocols.

Are you engaging in judicial outreach? At a time when respect for government and the rule of law is under attack it's time for all hands on deck to educate the public on who we are, what we do and why it matters.

ABA Judicial Division Chair Christopher Browning joins us to discuss the critical role that judicial outreach plays in promoting judicial independence and respect for the rule of law and how important it is for lawyers to join judges in advocating fo

While our hopes to have the pandemic in the rear-view mirror by the end of 2021 didn't materialize the past year was nonetheless one of inspiration and education on Gavel Talks. Host Richard Ginkowski takes a look back at some of 2021's highlights...

Modern municipal and misdemeanor courts have been saddled with the "Judge Roy Bean" image of being merciless "cash cows" but Judge Andra Sparks joins Gavel Talks host Richard Ginkowski for a discussion of how their courts work hard to shake the stere

Overrepresented in Montana's foster care system and more apt to be removed from their homes, Native-American children face a unique challenge in the justice system – a challenge that Yellowstone County District Judge Rod Souza has undertaken by...

In this six-minute episode, our host Judge Ginkowski discusses what "gig income is" and how judges should report it (and related deductions) along with recommendations for making recordkeeping painless.

Chicago area family law attorney and author Marie Sarantakis joins Judge Richard Ginkowski to discuss what family court judges need to know to spot "narcs" and why they should.

Security consultant John Muffler and fellow Judge Jason Rossell join host Richard Ginkowski as he offers up this “top ten list” of common-sense security and planning measures judges must proactively take to protect themselves, their staff and the...

As "the world's oldest profession" is moving from the streets online so, too, has law enforcement and our host, Judge Richard Ginkowski, discusses the complexities of common prostitution laws and defenses to a prostitution charge.

Judge Ronald Ramsey of the DeKalb County (GA) State Court, chair of the National Conference of Specialized Court Judges, joins Judge Richard Ginkowski to talk about the problem and what judges can do to get more serious about seriously excessive spee

Now with the pandemic hopefully winding down Judges Ramsey and Ginkowski share their experiences and foretell that the virtual court operations necessitated during the pandemic is a genie that's not going back into the bottle.

Judge Cotter joins Judge Richard Ginkowski to discuss how SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) came about and how other jurisdictions might benefit from a similar program.

Maryland Judge Neil Axel, ABA National Judicial Fellow for Highway Safety, joins host Richard Ginkowski for a discussion of the constitutionality of these "zero tolerance" and "per se" laws.

In this segment of Gavel Talks NJC President Benes Aldana discusses how taking its programs online due to the COVID-19 pandemic is helping more judges connect with this important resource.

Judge Mathews joins host Judge Richard Ginkowski to discuss how his faith makes him a better judge and the importance of community involvement and mentoring.

Judges Richard Ginkowski, Robert Anchondo and Mary Jane Knisely discuss how some simple techniques used in treatment courts can also be used by judges who do not preside over a treatment court.

Judge Jason Rossell shares disaster planning tips and states that the best time to plan for one is before it happens.

Wisconsin Judge Mary K. Wagner, a former state legislator, offers advice on how judges can ethically work for improvements in the law and legal procedure.

Cherokee Nation District Judge T. Luke Barteaux walks us through the landmark case McGirt v. Oklahoma and what it could mean.

Find out what measure's judges should take now to address the growing threat to judicial safety and security.

Judge Thomas Walsh of the Brown County Circuit Court tells us that human trafficking exists in the land of green and gold – and likely in your community, too – and what judges can do to recognize and address it.

In this edition of Gavel Talks, criminal defense attorney, Elizabeth Kelly, discusses autism spectrum disorders and how judges can respond to defendants with them.

Chief Judge McCormack joins Judge Ginkowski for a conversation on how judges can make courts accessible, transparent, efficient and user friendly.

In this segment of Gavel Talks Judge Richard Ginkowski, a former police officer, discusses the role of judges in improving policing.

Practical tips on your first court appearance from two seasoned judges.

Hon. Mary Jane Knisely gives a front-line perspective of the benefits of a Veterans Court and how to get one started in your community.

"Views from the bench" programs typically present frustrated judges beckoning lawyers to be brief in their briefs and, these days, to wear more than them when appearing in a "Zoom" hearing.

Judges are sometimes confronted with applications to restrict public access to discovery materials and to bar public access to filings and in-court proceedings.

Judge Anchondo continues his discussion with Judge Richard Ginkowski on the unique challenges and benefits of DWI court in part two of this Gavel Talks episode.

Judge Anchondo of the County Criminal Court in El Paso, Texas and Region 6 Judicial Outreach Liaison for NHTASA/ABA joins Judge Richard Ginkowski for a two-part discussion of the unique challenges and benefits of DWI courts.

Congratulations! Judge Richard Ginkowski of the National Conference of Specialized Court Judges offers a "to do list" to help the newly appointed or elected judge hit the ground running beginning within the first 24 hours of getting the good news.

Retired Judge Ronald J. Hedges explains what rules, standards and protections apply for information that is confidential in nature that might be used for a trial.

How judges and courts can effectively communicate with public stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Richard Ginkowski speaks to Ms. Guida Brown, Executive Director of the Hope Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, on the impact of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders with victims of substance abuse, mental health or domestic violence.

Retired Judge Ronald J. Hedges discusses the decision-making process on preparing for a trial including evidence, witness testimony, and investigating prospective jurors.

Judge Andra Sparks discuss how the RENEW program, implemented by the Birmingham Municipal Court helped hundreds of citizens obtain their driver's license since its inception in 2014.

In this Gavel Talks, an experienced trial judge will address how the court can and should ethically handle the challenges faced by judges in dealing with self represented litigants.

Retired Judge Ronald J. Hedges covers how an attorneys and judges could maximize and manage tools such as discovery, interrogatories, requests for production, depositions for a case.

In this Gavel Talk, the ABA Judicial Fellow for traffic safety issues will discuss a valuable and available resource for peer-to-peer education for the Nation's trial court judges.

Hon. Ronald J. Hedges uses his experience as a litigator and past US Magistrate Judge to cover best practices for the Fed. R. Civ. P. 11, also known as the "stop, look, and listen" rule.

Judge Emily Chafa tells the story of Arabella Babb Mansfield's education and decision to practice law.

Col. Linda Murnane presents options for legal careers in the US military.

Judge Frank J. Bailey and Judge Elizabeth Snow Stong describe the work of a bankruptcy law clerk.

Judge Andra Sparks shares his experience in the Birmingham Municipal Courts with saving costs and serving the community through specialized dockets.

Judge Emily Chafa discusses how to improve access to justice for persons with limited English proficiency.

Merril Hirsh introduces the ABA Guidelines on Special Masters developed by the ABA Special Masters Committee which conducts outreach and education on Special Masters. Another resource is the Academy of Court Appointed Masters.

Mr. Merril Hirsh describes Special Masters and how they assist courts.

Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Bailey and Judge Elizabeth Snow Stong give insight about how a bankruptcy affects a court case.

Judge Rachel Kretser discusses the importance of diversity in the appointment and selection of neutrals in alternative dispute resolution.