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NCSL Legislative Video Resource Center

The NCSL Video Resource Center is a collection of recorded webinars accessible for on-demand learning.

Civil and Criminal Justice

Pretrial Trends: A Decade of Legislative Action

Legislatures explore a wide range of pretrial release issues, including constitutional amendments, detention and release decisions, use of risk assessments and appropriateness of release conditions. Learn about legislative actions and shifting trends over the last decade.

Innovations in Court Efficiencies: Through the lens of consumer debt collection

Latest reports show that total household debt in the United States reached $15.58 trillion, increasing by $333 billion (2.2 percent) in the fourth quarter of 2021, while credit card balances increased by $52 billion. Millions of Americans are sued each year for the collection of these consumer debts and encounter a complicated, backlogged civil legal system. State policymakers are beginning to examine their debt collection policies and trends and assess how these fit into a broader discussion of modernizing civil courts. Join public policy and industry experts to learn more about debt collection lawsuits and what state legislators can do to improve the courts' efficiency and ensure equitable outcomes for all parties involved. This webinar is open to legislators and legislative staff only. Moderator: Michael Hartman, Policy Associate, National Conference of State Legislatures. Speakers: David Reid, General Counsel, Receivables Mgmt. Assoc. Intl., Delegate Alfred C. Carr Jr., Member of the Maryland House of Delegates, District 18, Erika Rickard, Project Director, Civil Legal System Modernization, The Pew Charitable Trusts and Heather Morton, Senior Fellow, National Conference of State Legislatures.

Everything You Need to Know About This U.S. Supreme Court Term

The Supreme Court's last year has been unlike any other. The justices dialed-in to hear oral arguments on the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act and a Voting Rights Act case, among others. Learn about the hottest cases for states decided this term along with a discussion of changes and trends on the court. Speaker: Lisa Soronen, State and Local Legal Center.

Protecting the Protectors? Changes to Qualified Immunity for Police

Federal qualified immunity protects law enforcement officers from paying for violations of constitutional rights-but state and local governments almost always pay the price. Now, they're taking action. Legislatures are creating state claims to limit applicability of qualified immunity and authorize personal liability insurance. Learn what it means for state and local budgets and the impact of potential federal action. Speakers include Representative Georgene Louis (D-N.M.) and Rachel Harmon, University of Virginia School of Law.

Cutting Corrections Costs While Preserving Public Safety

Corrections spending typically accounts for around 5% of state general fund budgets annually. Policy changes to reduce admissions and shorten length of stay in prisons and jails, as well as changing responses to community supervision rule violations, can be both fiscally beneficial and encourage successful outcomes for individuals involved with the justice system. Explore policy changes taken in Louisiana to cut corrections while and still keep the public safe.

Information as of May 2021.

Speakers include Elizabeth Compa, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Amanda Essex, NCSL, and James LeBlanc and Natalie LaBorde, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

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