Mission & history

Our vision

Together we lead, influence, and collaborate to create a more just, effective, equitable, and accessible system of justice.

Our mission 

Through its core values, the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) provides a national forum to assist state court administrators in the development and preservation of a system of justice.

Our core values

  • Solution-Focused: Address critical issues and develop policies, principles, and standards to enhance the administration of judicial systems
  • Collaborative: Facilitate and promote a robust network for the exchange of information, ideas, and methods to improve state courts
  • Knowledge-Driven: Provide continuous learning and professional development opportunities to enhance the skills and knowledge of state court administrators
  • Innovative: Foster innovative solutions, practices, leveraging technology to adapt and address emerging challenges that improve the administration of justice
  • Policy Development: Support the formulation and implementation of national policies that impact state courts, ensuring proactive engagement and responsiveness
  • Advocacy: Establish COSCA as a trusted advisor and influential voice within the judicial community and beyond
  • Diversity and Respect: Maintain an organization that is open, inclusive, participatory, dynamic, and responsive to the evolving needs of its members and the judicial community
  • Excellence: Uphold the highest standards of transparency and professionalism in all activities and communications
  • Equal Justice: Commit to creating safe, accessible, and user-centered judicial environments that meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders

Our history

The Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), organized in 1955, is dedicated to the improvement of state court systems. Its membership consists of the state court administrator or equivalent official in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. 

Read A History of the Conference of State Court Administrators 1955-2005