Nashville, Tenn. – Three Tennessee trial court judges completed the General Jurisdiction course at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev.
Judge Joe Binkley, of the 20th Judicial District Circuit Court in Nashville; Judge David Earl Durham of the 15th Judicial District Circuit Court (Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale and Wilson counties); and Judge Bobby Ray McGee, of the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court in Knoxville, completed the 11-day course that took place from October 4-15, 2009.
Course participants learned how to manage cases involving self-represented litigants, conduct jury and non-jury trials more effectively summarize and apply developments in criminal law and procedure, family law, judicial discretion, judicial ethics and sentencing; rule on evidence more confidently; make fair and unbiased decisions; and interact with the media in a positive manner.
The judges received scholarships from the State Justice Institute and National Judicial College to attend the course.
“We encourage all new judges to attend the National Judicial College to enhance their skills on the bench,” said Libby Sykes, Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. “I commend Judge Binkley, Judge Durham and Judge McGee for completing this rigorous curriculum and placing such an importance furthering their judicial education.”
The National Judicial College was founded in 1963 and is the nation’s leading provider of judicial education. For more than 45 years, the NJC has been offering courses to improve judicial productivity, challenge current perceptions of justice and inspire judges to achieve judicial excellence.