Circuit court judges from across West Virginia met in Charleston this week for a judicial education conference put on by the state Supreme Court.
The conference is held twice a year and offers circuit court judges an opportunity to earn continuing education credits, public information officer Jennifer Bundy said.
“It was a very positive experience,” said Debra Scudiere, Monongalia County’s newest circuit court judge.
Some of the topics, such as updates on technology, civil law and criminal law, are the same from conference to conference, Bundy said.
Scudiere said she really enjoyed the updates on the law because, as a judge, she needs to know the latest.
She also enjoyed a presentation by Judge Karen Adam, a retired judge from Arizona, about wellness.
“The pressure judges are under and ways that they can cope with those pressures,” Scudiere said. “I was taking a lot of notes during that because I certainly don’t want to get stuck letting this job overwhelm me. I don’t think anybody does. It was good insight into keeping your head straight as you try to do the right thing every day.”
There is also a social component to the conferences, Bundy said.
“It’s an opportunity for judges to talk to their peers because when you become a judge, the friendships that you have with other people can be a little awkward because they can’t talk about what they do all day long,” Bundy said.
Scudiere said she enjoyed comparing notes with other judges and talking to people she doesn’t usually see.
The Supreme Court also hosts educational conferences for magistrates, family judges, probation officers, court security officers, court reporters, law clerks and mental hygiene commissioners, Bundy said.
The conferences help ensure a standardized training across the state so everyone is on the same page as far as standards and changes in the law.
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