Vision Statement: To empower and connect our community by fostering a transparent, informed, and engaged judiciary so that Nevadans understand and trust the Supreme Court’s role in delivering fair and efficient justice through innovative outreach and educational initiatives.
The creation of this plan is a key objective of the 2022-2025 Strategic Action Plan to “Implement a sustainable outreach plan to engage and educate the public regarding the purposes and responsibilities of the court.”
The Outreach and Engagement Plan is a comprehensive guide that demonstrates the Administrative Office of the Court’s (AOC) commitment to positioning Nevada’s judiciary as a transparent, approachable, and trustworthy branch of government.
To strengthen public trust, the AOC must engage with communities and highlight the courts' roles in justice, accountability, and local problem-solving. This plan includes specific strategies aimed at making court information more accessible and understandable. By increasing opportunities for education and engagement, the AOC hopes to connect with schools, community groups, and the broader public in meaningful ways.
The AOC is committed to engaging in open dialogues, listening to feedback, and providing resources to the communities of Nevada. Through the efforts outlined in this plan, the AOC seeks to strengthen the bridge between the judicial branch and the public, ensuring that actions and innovations are both transparent and responsive to the needs of the residents of Nevada. View the Outreach and Engagement Plan as a PDF.
Objectives and Their Purpose
Audiences
Understanding the AOC’s audiences is crucial for successfully implementing the strategies and tactics outlined in this plan. The information below defines each audience and highlights the key focus areas for engaging with them.
- General Public (citizens of Nevada): Understand court procedures, access resources easily, stay informed about court updates and announcements, understand the judicial branch.
- Media (journalists, news outlets, and bloggers reporting on court activities): Transparency of the court, timely updates, access to accurate information.
- Legal Professionals (lawyers, attorneys, and legal experts): Engage in professional development, stay informed about court updates and announcements.
- Legal Field Organizations and Associations (organizations and associations in Nevada related to the legal field): Stay informed about resources, legal updates, and educational opportunities.
- Court Staff (individuals employed by a court in the state of Nevada): Stay updated on legal changes, share best practices, understand available resources.
- Senior Citizens (elderly residents of Nevada): Ensure accessible information, assistance navigating the court system.
- Internal Staff (appellate court employees including administrative staff and clerks): Understand court procedures and available resources, stay informed about new initiatives, professional development.
- Judicial Officers (judges and justices of the courts): Stay informed on legal precedents, procedural changes, and professional development opportunities.
- Service Providers (court interpreters, CASA volunteers, etc.): Understand the direct impact of court interpreters and volunteer opportunities within the judiciary.
- Limited English Proficiency Population (residents of Nevada who have limited proficiency in English): Have access to translated documents and court information, court interpreters, and multilingual resources.
- Prospective Employees (individuals considering employment at the Supreme Court of Nevada): Understand career opportunities, requirements, and learn about the court’s mission and values.
Communication Channels
The following channels are essential for distributing information, fostering dialogue, and building trust between the courts and the public.
Supreme Court of Nevada Website (general public): Official announcements and updates on rulings and events, legal resources.
Social Media (general public, legal community, media): Provide information about resources, cases, rulings, court procedures, and civic education.
I’ll Allow It, Nevada Podcast (judicial officers, legal community, general public): Provide education about Nevada’s judicial system and provide CLE credits.
Public Event Participation (general public, potential employees): Share resources and information, directly interacting with Nevada residents.
Livestream (general public, legal community, media): Broadcast court proceedings.
Self-Help Center Webpage (general public, legal community): Inform the public about the availability of legal information and resources.
Internal Flyers (appellate court staff): Distribute information containing educational content, cheat sheets, and updates.
External Flyers (trial court staff, legal community, media): Distribute information containing educational content, updates, and events
Guide Sheets: (judicial officers): Provide quick reference information
Press Releases (journalists, reporters): Inform the media about new resources, events, rulings, and general information
Media Advisories (journalists, reporters): Inform the media about new resources, events, rulings, and general information
Broadcast Media Interviews (journalists, reporters): Inform the media about new resources, events, rulings, and general information
Strategies and Approaches
The following strategies and approaches will be implemented to achieve each goal. Each approach is designed with consideration of three key questions:
- Are these approaches sustainable?
- Are these approaches user-focused?
- Are these approaches appropriate?
- Approach 1.1: Continuously improve the Supreme Court of Nevada website with mobile-responsiveness, user-friendly interface, and accurate and relevant information. Example(s):
- Streamline and enhance the Court Improvement Program page to clearly define its purpose, separate family law from dependency issues, and highlight the benefits of available trainings.
- Add links to individual court pages and specialty court information, including contact details.
- Approach 1.2: Regularly update social media channels with simplified explanations of court procedures and legal resources. Example(s):
- Create a campaign featuring a series of infographics and short educational videos explaining common court processes and rights. Use the hashtag #AccessToJusticeNV to increase visibility.
- Approach 1.3: Increase visibility of online legal resources to the public. Example(s):
- Place QR code stickers in public areas such as courthouses, libraries, and community centers. These codes should link directly to relevant sections of the Supreme Court of Nevada website.
- Approach 1.4: Evaluate existing channels for broader appeal, efficiency, and engagement. Example(s):
- Enhance the “I’ll Allow it Nevada” podcast to broaden its audience and increase its promotional efforts.
- Approach 1.5: Expand on the use of high-quality photography and videography to complement educational efforts and enhance storytelling. Example(s):
- Attend conferences and events to capture photo and video for social media and website usage.
Success Measurement Metrics
1. Expand Digital Resources and Tools:
- Google Mobile-Friendly test score, bounce rate reduction, average session duration, reduction in exit rates, changes in page views
- Social media engagement rates, follower growth, increase in reach
- Total traffic generated from QR-linked pages
- Growth in podcast listens
2. Enhance In-Person Engagement Initiatives:
- Number of events attended and presentations made, improve practices based on feedback from event organizers
- Qualitative assessment of educational value from teachers and students via feedback surveys
3. Expand on Internal Education Initiatives:
- Feedback from training modules
- Number of completed training modules
4. Expand on External Education Initiatives:
- Number of classes using materials, survey feedback from students and educators
- Number of educational materials distributed
- Web traffic data for educational materials
5. Enhance Internal Communications:
- Newsletter open rates or link clicks
- Intranet analytics
6. Enhance External Communications:
- Evaluation of responses and feedback received from individuals
- Web traffic data for Supreme Court of Nevada information provided to legal community
7. Foster Community Engagement:
- Survey results
- Number of media placements
8. Improve Accessibility and Inclusion Initiatives:
- Leverage automated web accessibility evaluation tools to inform targeted remediation
- Total number of staff members that complete accessibility trainings
- Increase in qualified certified court interpreter prospects