Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Series
May 19th Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode
It seems there is a growing disconnect between courts and the public, which directly affects the public’s trust and confidence in our court system.
Judges and court staff routinely speak to the public. They frequently speak to small, targeted groups, such as business leaders, civic organizations, or students in schools. These public outreach campaigns reach dozens, if not hundreds, of community members.
At the same time, media voices reach thousands, even millions. The nightly news and programs such as Dateline, America’s Most Wanted, and 48 Hours shape how people see crime and our courts. These stories can often leave the impression that crime is rampant and that the courts are too lenient.
We, court professionals, often rely on data and statistics to explain the courts. In fact, crime today is lower than in the 1990s. Americans are far less likely to be victims of crime than 30 years ago. Violent crime specifically has fallen for the past couple of years. The FBI reported a 4.5% drop in 2024, with murder down nearly 15%.
The media, however, relies on storytelling, and in that they are experts. A well-told story is powerful and can be hard to counter. Paraphrasing the political consultant and communications strategist Frank Luntz, “a single compelling story can level a mountain of data.”
This month, we look at our courts and the struggle to control the narrative that describes the vital role our courts play in our society. We ask the questions, do we need to rethink how we communicate with the public? How do we reach a broader audience?
Today’s Panel:
- Sean O’Sullivan, Chief of Community Relations for the Administrative Office of the Courts, in Dover, Delaware
- Darren Toms, Public Information Officer and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland, Ohio
- Paul Flemming, Public Information Officer for the Florida Office of State Courts Administrator, and more recently, the Florida Supreme Court. Paul is also the current President of the Conference of Court Public Information Officers.
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Show Notes
Sean O'Sullivan
Sean O’Sullivan is a native of Buffalo, New York who is the Chief of Community Relations for the Delaware Administrative Office of the Courts. He is the immediate past president of the Conference of Court Public Information Officers and has served on the board of CCPIO since 2017.
O’Sullivan acts as a resource for the Delaware Courts at all levels from misdemeanor court up to the Delaware Supreme Court. He works with state and national media, helps promote the work of the court and court initiatives and programs, and is part of the Delaware Judiciary’s legislative team.
He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a double major in English and Media Study.
Prior to joining the courts, O’Sullivan was an award-winning print journalist for more than 20 years, working at daily newspapers in Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware.
Darren Toms
Darren Toms spent 25 years as a working journalist before joining the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in November of 2013. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Darren graduated from Ohio University. Darren spent seven teaching Ohio University journalism students, then moved to Cleveland to become the overnight news anchor for Newsradio WTAM 1100. By the time he left the station in 2013, he was news director and managed the newscasts for seven radio markets. As PIO and community outreach coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Darren has worked closely with media on high-profile trials, records requests, and court-related communications. Darren has developed a number of programs including a court podcast, a monthly in-house newsletter, and a variety of outreach programs.
Paul Flemming
Paul Flemming is the director of the Florida Supreme Court Public Information Office. Before joining the State Courts System in 2016 he worked in the Florida Legislature. Previously, he was a reporter and editor for newspapers in Missouri and Florida.
