Conference of Chief Justices Law and Legal Definition
Conference of Chief Justices is an organization consisting of the highest judicial officers of all the states in the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. It is often abbreviated CCJ.
Since 1983, the organization has operated as a nonprofit corporation. The CCJ was established as an organization in 1949. CCJ is headed by a board composed of its four officers, the immediate past president, five elected members, and one member designated by the president-elect.
The CCJ aims to improve the administration of justice in various ways. For example, by supporting adequate judicial funding, promoting the independence and effectiveness of state judicial systems, and advancing professionalism and lawyer competence.
The CCJ has studied and issued policy statements on matters relating to the state judiciary. Habeas corpus, federal funding for state courts, the States Justice Institute, judicial immunity, court backlogs, cameras in the courtroom and child support enforcement are some other areas covered by the CCJ.
