State Courts’ Responsibility to Address Issues of Racial and Ethnic Fairness
Adopted in December 2001, this COSCA position paper outlines the responsibility of state courts to identify and eliminate racial and ethnic bias — both within the judiciary and throughout the broader justice system. It emphasizes the impact of real and perceived bias on public trust and calls on courts to lead through strategic initiatives, institutional partnerships, and long-term accountability. The paper details best practices, including improved jury representation, interpreter access, workforce diversity, and outreach to underrepresented communities, while also recommending inter-branch collaboration to address systemic inequities.