Broadcast Library
The NJC is proud to host a multitude of engaging podcasts and webinars, with some webinars tailored to meet the specific needs of different states.
State-Specific Webinars
Traffic Jam: How Commercial Drivers Impact Human Trafficking in Courts
Course Description:
This webcast explores the complex and pressing issue of human trafficking (both labor and sex) through the lens of judicial leadership and commercial transportation. This session sheds light on how commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers can play a pivotal role in perpetuating and preventing human trafficking crimes. Participants are guided through foundational frameworks, federal and state legal structures, and real-world implications of trafficking. Emphasis is placed on breaking myths, spotting signs of exploitation, and fostering proactive judicial responses in local contexts.
Course Objectives:
After this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand the forms, tactics, and prevalence of human trafficking, including distinctions between sex and labor trafficking.
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Gain practical strategies for identifying trafficking indicators and effectively respond to cases in judicial and community contexts, and
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Comprehend the unique legal frameworks affecting Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders, particularly the implications of trafficking-related convictions under the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act.
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia HawaiiIdaho Illinois IndianaIowa KansasKentuckyLouisiana Maine MarylandMassachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio OklahomaOregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South CarolinaTennessee Texas Utah VermontVirginia WashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Ethically Handling Commercial Drivers in Criminal & Traffic Courts
Course Description:
Every year, over half a million crashes on American highways involve commercial motor vehicles. These crashes result in enough fatalities to wipe out the entire population of more than any one of half of America’s towns. Many involve repeat violators, some of whom would not have been on the road if Federal and state CDL/CMV laws were properly and ethically enforced.
Judges who handle cases involving commercial driver’s licenses and commercial motor vehicles are often unaware of Federal regulations and state laws that require courts to treat commercial drivers differently than noncommercial drivers, even when a traffic violation has been committed in a personal or family vehicle.
This subject is one all judges must understand. Most misdemeanor and felony court judges don’t realize these laws may apply to cases where no traffic violation is even alleged. Many high-volume traffic courts are unaware of the need to establish special procedures for the handling of CDL/CMV cases.
Course Objectives:
After this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify applicable Federal and state CDL/CMV laws;
• Determine what constitutes “masking”;
• Discover the unique definition of a “conviction” under CDL/CMV laws;
• Recognize the legal, financial and social consequences of failures to enforce CDL/CMV laws;
• Detect the ethical implications of mishandling CDL/CMV cases;
• Apply recent expungement laws to holders of commercial driver licenses; and
• Develop ethical and efficient procedures for the handling of CDL/CMV cases in your court.
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Wisconsin Washington Wyoming
Access to Justice for Commercial Drivers
Course Description:
Every year, over half a million crashes on American highways involve commercial motor vehicles. These crashes result in enough fatalities to wipe out the entire population of more than any one of half of America’s towns. Many involve repeat violators, some of whom would not have been on the road if Federal and state CDLs/CMVs laws were properly and ethically enforced.
Increasingly, the modern-day Traffic and Criminal Court is experiencing higher volume and fewer resources. Despite this trend, Access to Justice remains imperative especially when balanced against the need to address cases requiring specialized attention such as CDL drivers who are prohibited from engaging in certain plea agreements. Judges who handle cases involving CDLs/CMVs are often unaware of federal regulations and state laws that require courts to treat commercial drivers differently than non-commercial drivers. This webinar will explore issues of both Access to Justice and Procedural Justice as juxtaposed against the concerns of CDL holders.
Course Objectives:
After this course, participants will be able to:
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Identify applicable Federal and state CDL/CMV laws;
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Determine what constitutes “masking”;
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Discover the unique definition of a “conviction” under CDL/CMV laws;
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Summarize the major components related to Access to Justice;
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Hone techniques designed to improve in-court caseflow management and
identify CDL cases with potential masking problems;
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Balance Procedural Fairness concerns to avoid federal masking violations; and
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Develop ethical and efficient procedures for the handling of CDL/CMV cases in
your court.
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa KansasKentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland MichiganMinnesota MississippiMissouri MontanaNebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota OhioOklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Fundamentals of “Masking” and Suspensions for CDL Holders in Traffic and Criminal Courts
Course Description:
The practice of “masking” violations or the unwarranted reduction of charges for Commercial Drivers in Traffic and Criminal Courts across America is fairly common. When CDL drivers are afforded these opportunities, they often lead to less safe roads and highways for all drivers and passengers. Additionally, the likelihood of more crashes involving CDL holders is increased, which often leads to severe injury or death. To combat this challenge, it is necessary for judges, as the guardrails of the judicial system, to be aware of the basic rules which govern CDL holders by reporting convictions and imposing license suspensions where required by law. This course will provide judges the necessary information and tools to identify, address and combat and respond to “masking” when cases appear in the courtroom.
Course Objectives:
After this course, participants will be able to:
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Identify applicable Federal and state CDL/CMV laws;
-
Determine what constitutes “masking”;
-
Discover the unique definition of a “conviction” under CDL/CMV laws;
-
Summarize the major components related to Access to Justice;
-
Hone techniques designed to improve in-court caseflow management and identify CDL cases with potential masking problems;
-
Balance Procedural Fairness concerns to avoid federal masking violations;
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Develop ethical and efficient procedures for handling of CDL/CMV cases in their courts.
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia HawaiiIdaho Illinois IndianaIowa KansasKentuckyLouisiana Maine MarylandMassachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio OklahomaOregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South CarolinaTennessee Texas Utah VermontVirginia WashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
National Webinars
Impaired Driving and Alcohol/Drug Issues within Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) and Commercial Motor Vehicle Cases
Course Description:
This national webcast provides judges with a comprehensive overview of current laws and emerging issues related to impaired driving within the context of Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) and Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) cases. Topics include the federal and state legal frameworks governing alcohol and drug use among commercial drivers, with a particular focus on marijuana-related offenses and enforcement challenges.
Course Objectives:
After this course, participants will be able to:
● Identify current CDL/CMV alcohol and drug impaired driving elements and issues;
● Explain the concept of “masking” within CDL/CMV cases and recognize its state & federal impacts; and
● Reinforce foundational knowledge of current compliance requirements for CDL/CMV impaired driving cases.
Putting the Brakes on Human Trafficking
Presentation by Judge Gayle Williams-Byers (Ret.)
Podcasts
Come to Order
Come on the road with The National Judicial College Judicial Ambassadors as they educate judges on a wide variety of topics related to keeping America’s highways safe including CDL issues, masking, autonomous vehicles, human trafficking and more. If it happens on the highway, we talk about it here.
Episode One: Autonomous Vehicles, Part I – December 2, 2024
The first of a four-part series on autonomous vehicles, this episode introduces judges to levels 0-2 vehicles in the autonomous vehicle taxonomy and discusses emerging legal issues starting to appear in courtrooms. Level 1 and Level 2 (which includes Tesla cars and trucks) are prevalent on the roads across the country today. Judicial Ambassadors Judge Thomas Fowler from Arkansas and Judge Gayle Williams-Byers lead the discussion. Hosted by NJC Communications Director Barbara Peck.
Autonomous Vehicles – Part II – December 9, 2024
This episode of Come to Order continues the discussion on autonomous vehicles, focusing on level 4 and level 5 vehicles. The judges discuss the future of passenger vehicles at this level as well as commercial level 4 vehicles that are on the road today.
Autonomous Vehicles – Part III – December 30, 2024
In the third episode in our series on autonomous vehicles, Judge Fowler and Judge Williams-Byers analyze how advancements in vehicle technology could impact impaired driving cases. When do drivers have actual physical control over autonomous vehicles and what impact will a law’s use of the word operating versus driving impact a case? Tune in to find out!
Autonomous Vehicles – Part IV – January 16, 2025
In this fourth and final episode on autonomous vehicles, Judges Fowler and Williams-Byers analyze the probable cause and privacy issues that arise with autonomous vehicles. How are level one and two autonomous vehicles hindering basic traffic stops today and what happens if police stop a fully autonomous vehicle with no driver? Judges, listen to find out!
Other Media
Tools That Teach: What is Human Trafficking?
“Tools That Teach: What is Human Trafficking?” from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign explains that human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit people for labor or commercial sex. The resource highlights that victims can be of any age, gender, or nationality, and traffickers often disguise their activities as legitimate opportunities or relationships. Because victims may be fearful, manipulated, or isolated, they are often invisible to the public. The video stresses the importance of learning to recognize indicators of trafficking and reporting suspicions to authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline rather than intervening directly, as identifying and reporting warning signs can save lives.
Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022
The Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022, passed by Congress on December 27, 2022, strengthens the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 by requiring the National Human Trafficking Hotline number to be publicly displayed in high-traffic U.S. locations such as government buildings, airports, buses, trains, and ports of entry. Signs must be placed in visible and/or discreet areas, including restrooms, to ensure accessibility for potential victims.
Labor Trafficking Awareness
The following dramatized scenarios depict indicators of labor trafficking — a crime committed when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to work for little or no wages. Human trafficking victims are often invisible because we do not recognize indicators of human trafficking. In this video, the CDL holder reacted quickly and decisively, recognizing the warning signs and providing the girls with the help they needed. Identifying signs of human trafficking and reporting a tip may save a life.
(DHS Video by Blue Campaign/Released)
Human Trafficking Truck Stop Awareness
This video depicts a human trafficking scenario taking place at a truck stop and shares how truck stop employees and truck drivers can report it. (DHS Video by Blue Campaign/Released)