Ideas worth spreading

How judges can show respect

1,256,125 views |

Victoria Pratt |

TEDNYC

• October 2016

In halls of justice around the world, how can we ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect? A pioneering judge in New Jersey, Victoria Pratt shares her principles of "procedural justice" -- four simple, thoughtful steps that redefined the everyday business of her courtroom in Newark, changing lives along the way. "When the court behaves differently, naturally people respond differently," Pratt says. "We want people to enter our halls of justice ... and know that justice will be served there."

In halls of justice around the world, how can we ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect? A pioneering judge in New Jersey, Victoria Pratt shares her principles of "procedural justice" -- four simple, thoughtful steps that redefined the everyday business of her courtroom in Newark, changing lives along the way. "When the court behaves differently, naturally people respond differently," Pratt says. "We want people to enter our halls of justice ... and know that justice will be served there."

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Follow Judge Victoria Pratt on Twitter.

About the speaker

Victoria Pratt

See speaker profile

Judge Victoria Pratt is inspiring a global revolution in criminal justice.

| Article

"A Community Court Grows in Brooklyn: A Complete Evaluation of the Red Hook Justice Center"

An independent evaluation of the Red Hook Community Court that found the court's focus on alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenders, such as community service and providing social services, led to less jail time and a reduction in recidivism.

Greg Berman and Julian Adler | The New Press, 2018 | Book

Start Here: A Practical Guide to Reducing Incarceration

Start Here is a must-read for everyone who wants to start dismantling mass incarceration without waiting for a revolution or permission.

Tom Tyler | Princeton University Press, 2006 | Book

Why People Obey the Law

Tom Tyler's pioneering study makes the case that people will obey the law if they believe that legislators and law enforcement officials are a legitimate authority to impose rules and regulations.

Tina Rosenberg | The Guardian, 2015 | Article

"The Simple Idea that Could Transform the U.S. Criminal Justice"

This article and the one below, written by Pulitzer-winning author Tina Rosenberg that, explore the concept of procedural justice as an approach that can bring dignity and respect back into the courtroom as a means to reduce the use of jail and recidivism.

Tina Rosenberg | Rutgers Magazine, 2016 | Article

"Asking for a Little Respect"

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Follow Judge Victoria Pratt on Twitter.