Danielle Burs

Council for Court Excellence

The Council for Court Excellence (CCE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to improve the administration of justice to ensure civil and criminal justice systems that equitably serve the residents of the District of Columbia. We accomplish these goals by conducting research, identifying and promoting justice system reforms, convening important stakeholders to advance change, and increasing public understanding and support of our justice system. As a catalyst for change for almost 40 years, CCE has led a wide variety of research, advocacy, and educational projects to improve the local justice system. We bring together diverse groups of stakeholders to identify gaps in performance, determining and outlining solutions, and ensuring that these ideas become a reality. We often complete projects in one of our four programmatic committees: Criminal Justice, Civil Justice, Youth Justice, and Justice Education. Some of our projects strengthen laws and policies, building better justice for all. Some shine a light on systemic problems or possibilities for innovation. We encourage individuals to understand the justice system and empower them to improve it. CCE has built a substantial record of improving the District's justice system and educating the public to promote better understanding of and build confidence in the justice system. We have published and distributed over 370,000 copies of community education guides related to D.C.'s court processes and legal tools available to residents. Additionally, CCE has been the moving force behind rethinking the future of corrections in the city, the adoption of the one day/one trial jury system in D.C. Superior Court, modernization of trial and grand jury systems, reform of D.C.'s administrative adjudication system, improvements in child neglect and abuse cases, expansion of crime victims' rights, and adoption of criminal record-sealing laws, among others efforts guided by thoughtful research and coalition building.