In a recent meeting of the Oregon State Legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety, significant discussions centered around improving access to justice and the challenges faced by the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD). The meeting highlighted the critical need for translation services, as 79% of forms and 92% of webpages remain untranslated, creating barriers for many Oregonians seeking legal assistance.

The OJD is actively working to enhance access to justice by increasing the number of translated materials. This effort is part of a broader initiative to address findings from the biennial access and fairness survey, which revealed a decline in public satisfaction regarding their experiences with the judicial system. Over 2,000 responses were collected in 2024, marking the largest participation yet, but the results indicated a need for improvement, particularly in perceptions of fairness.

Key discussions included the importance of understanding the factors contributing to lower fairness scores. Officials emphasized that people's experiences in court can significantly influence their perceptions, especially when outcomes do not align with their expectations. The OJD is committed to analyzing survey feedback to identify specific areas for improvement, including website usability and service delivery.

Training for staff and judges emerged as a crucial element in enhancing the overall experience for court users. The OJD has implemented a training program called the Signature Customer Experience, which focuses on empathy and understanding the needs of individuals interacting with the court system. Initial results from courts that have undergone this training show improved access and fairness scores, underscoring the program's potential impact.

Employee retention was also discussed as a vital performance measure, with current rates slightly below the target of 88%. High turnover rates necessitate ongoing training for new hires, which can strain resources and affect service quality. The OJD is exploring strategies to retain trained staff to ensure consistent and effective service delivery.

As the meeting progressed, the committee began to shift focus towards revenue, collections, and budget discussions, indicating a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges within the public safety sector. The outcomes of these discussions will be critical in shaping future policies and resource allocations aimed at improving the judicial experience for all Oregonians.

Overall, the meeting underscored the OJD's commitment to enhancing access to justice and addressing the systemic issues that hinder equitable service delivery. The anticipated next steps include further analysis of survey results and the expansion of training programs to foster a more responsive and fair judicial system.