Evaluating Trauma-Informed Practices in Judicial Settings
Development and Application of Trauma-Informed Courtroom Observational Rubrics
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22420985 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ziwei Qi (0000-0002-8538-858X, Fort Hays State University, corresponding author), April N Terry (0000-0002-6127-2451, Fort Hays State University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-25 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1092-6771 • E-ISSN: 1545-083X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10926771.2026.2641763 |
| OpenAlex | W7134247694 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 31 |
The current research introduces trauma-informed courtroom observational rubrics specifically designed to assess the integration of trauma-informed practices within adult and juvenile court systems. Given the high prevalence of trauma among justice-involved individuals, this research addresses a critical gap in evaluating how court proceedings and environments meet trauma-informed care (TIC) principles. The rubrics assess courtroom communication, procedures, and environmental factors, with adaptations for adult in-person, virtual, and juvenile settings. Inter-rater reliability analysis confirmed substantial to nearly perfect agreement between two researchers, which emphasized the rubrics’ consistency across evaluators. However, challenges such as the adversarial nature of court proceedings and variations in trauma responses highlight areas for refinement. While the rubrics demonstrate reliability, they also reveal a need for contextual flexibility to accommodate diverse legal systems and trauma. This current study provides a comprehensive framework for courts to systematically implement trauma-informed practices, ultimately promoting more supportive and emotionally safe legal environments.
Adjudication · Observational methods in psychology · Observational study · Rubric · Behavioral and Psychological Studies · Child Abuse and Trauma · Memory Processes and Influences
Resilience portfolios and poly-strengths
The Interrelatedness of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among High-Risk Juvenile Offenders
Trauma-informed juvenile justice systems
The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood
Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults
The Measurement of Observer Agreement for Categorical Data
Interrater reliability
The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Psychopathic Features on Juvenile Offending Criminal Careers to Age 18
Psychological Effects of Professional Exposure to Trauma and Human Suffering
Validation of the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care Scale (Artic)
Applying Trauma-Informed Design Principles to Therapeutic Residential Care Facilities to Reduce Retraumatization and Promote Resiliency Among Youth in Care
Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in Juvenile Justice Systems
Taking trauma seriously
So many extra safety layers
Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
Inter-Rater Reliability Methods in Qualitative Case Study Research
Lifetimes of Vulnerability
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |