The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has developed the following three-minute “explainer” video about the role of state courts in our democracy. The video explains why the Founding Fathers elevated the judiciary to its status as the government’s third and equal branch. The video goes on to explain that state courts are made of local trial courts, where juries or judges decide cases, as well as appellate and supreme courts.
The National Center for State Courts is an independent, nonprofit court improvement organization founded at the urging of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren E. Burger. He envisioned NCSC as a clearinghouse for research information and comparative data to support improvement in judicial administration in state courts.
All of NCSC's services — research, information services, education, consulting — are focused on helping courts plan, make decisions, and implement improvements that save time and money, while ensuring judicial administration that supports fair and impartial decision-making.