There Can Be No Justice Without Compassion A Message from the NCJFCJ President of the Board of Directors and CEO

• Published date: 01 September 2020
• Date: 01 September 2020
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jfcj.12177

There Can Be No Justice Without Compassion

A Message from the NCJFCJ President of the

Board of Directors and CEO

June 08, 2020

People around the world demand justice for George Floyd and the countless victims of

violence and brutality. There can be no justice without compassion, and the National Council

of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) express our sincere condolences to the families

who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We acknowledge and understand that the time for

transformational and peaceful change is now. The NCJFCJ stands determined, committed,

andabletoplayacentralroleinpositivesystematic reform efforts to accomplish these goals.

Our institutional values of compassion, leadership, education, and community are

fundamental to who we are. These values imbue our efforts to provide all judges, courts,

and agencies involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowl-

edge and skills to improve the lives of children and families who seek justice.

The NCJFCJ is committed to continuing to promote diversity, equity, and inclu-

sion, as we understand the juvenile and family court system disproportionally impacts

poor communities and racial and ethnic minorities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion in

the judiciary are vital to upholding public trust and confidence in the legal system.

Our members, leaders, and everyone at the NCJFCJ must reflect the children, fami-

lies, and individuals we serve who have been affected by trauma and violence. We will

continue to provide judicial education and programs that remain relevant, culturally

appropriate, and responsive to historical trauma; programs that ensure judges understand

the necessity of diversity, inclusion, and equity, including racial and ethnic identity. We

will continue to listen, learn, and work diligently to serve our communities to improve

the effectiveness and fairness of our nation’s juvenile and family courts.

The NCJFCJ’s vision is for a society in which every family and child has access to fair,

equal, effective, and timely justice, which has always and will continue to include racial justice.

Hon. Ramona A. Gonzalez

NCJFCJ President of the Board of Directors

Joey Ordu~na Hastings

NCJFCJ CEO

Juvenile and Family Court Journal 71, No. 3

©2020 National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

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