Courts across the country are grappling with the simple reality that trauma shapes how people experience the justice system. To help address that challenge, the Bolch Judicial Institute has launched a full suite of free educational materials on trauma-informed courts.
Led by Amelia Ashton Thorn, assistant director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and a Duke Law alumna, this project turns research into practical tools for judges and others who work in the courts. The materials include videos showing effective courtroom techniques, guides judges can use in their own courtrooms, ideas for improving courtroom spaces, and illustrated findings from a study of more than 200 court hearings.
“We encourage judges to view themselves as community connectors — leaders with the resources and authority to change lives for the better,” said Thorn. “This collection is meant to help support that work in practical ways. Judging can be demanding, and we hope these materials both ease that burden and inspire judges to experiment with new, evidence-based approaches to improving the courtroom experience.”
What you’ll find in the materials:
✅ Bench cards for quick, in-court reference
✅ Clear, accessible research summaries
✅ Visualizations that bring key data to life
✅ Video resources for deeper learning
What it covers:
✅ Key information about trauma
✅ Trauma-informed judicial practices
✅ Judicial behavior
✅ Courtroom and courthouse design
✅ Research design information
Supported in large part by a grant from the North Carolina Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts and with support from the HopeStar Foundation, the work includes contributions from Eva McKinsey, PhD, an applied social and community psychologist, and research assistance from Emily Bass, Duke Law ’26.
“This collection serves multiple purposes,” said McKinsey. “It shines light on how trauma-informed practices are currently showing up in juvenile courts, helping to clarify where attention can be focused moving forward. It also offers a window into what court involvement can be like for young people and families, with the hope of encouraging a more compassionate, trauma-informed approach. And, finally, it provides practical steps that court personnel can begin using immediately.”
Explore the suite of trauma-informed court resources here: https://duke.is/court-resources