Court Leader's Advantage 5/19/2026 Episode - Do We Need to Rethink Public Outreach?

It seems there is a growing disconnect between courts and the public, which directly affects the public’s trust and confidence in our court system. Judges and court staff routinely speak to the public. They frequently speak to small, targeted groups, such as business leaders, civic organizations, or students in schools. Thesepublic outreach campaigns reach dozens, if not hundreds, of community members. At the same time, media voices reach thousands, even millions. The nightly news and programs such as Dateline,America’s Most Wanted, and 48 Hours shape how people see crime and our courts. These stories can often leave the impression that crime is rampant and that the courts are too lenient.  We, court professionals, often rely on data and statistics to explain the courts. In fact, crime today is lower than in the 1990s. Americans are far less likely to be victims of crime than 30 years ago. Violent crime specifically has fallen for the pastcouple of years. The FBI reported a 4.5% drop in 2024, with murder down nearly 15%. The media, however, relies on storytelling, and in that they are experts. A well-told story is powerful and can be hard to counter. Paraphrasing the political consultant and communications strategist Frank Luntz, “a single compelling story can level a mountain of data.” This month, we look at our courts and the struggle to control the narrative that describes the vital role our courts play in our society. We ask the questions, do we need to rethink how we communicate with the public? How do we reach a broader audience? Today’s PanelSean O’Sullivan, Chief of Community Relations for the Administrative Office of the Courts, in Dover, DelawareDarren Toms, Public Information Officer and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland, OhioPaul Flemming, Public Information Officer for the FloridaOffice of State Courts Administrator, and more recently, the Florida Supreme Court.  Paul is also the current President of the Conference of Court Public Information Officers.Become part of the Conversation. Submit your comments and questions to: [email protected]