Judge Victor Reyes currently serves as Judge-in-Residence for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in the United States. Previously, Judge Reyes was a judge in Colorado (the United States) and presided over criminal, civil, probate and family court matters. Prior to the appointment, Judge Reyes served as a Deputy State Public Defender.
Every day, judges across the world listen to evidence and make life altering decisions affecting their fellow citizens. Being a judge also carries with it the responsibility of becoming a community leader and living by a set of values that manifest through honesty, fairness and being just. As judges, we need to recognize that we must maintain our health in order to sustain our integrity as human beings. A judge who is healthy physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually enhances their ability to access the wisdom necessary to render fairness and justice.
To encourage effective leadership, and promote compassion and healthy decision-making, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) incorporates aspects of wellness at their conferences and training, including the tools necessary for judges to build resilience. The NCJFCJ has created the Judicial Wellness Initiative, which provides information on breathing techniques, nutrition, physical exercise, mindfulness practices, self-compassion, and advice from national experts on developing the tools needed to reduce stress and mitigate vicarious trauma. The NCJFCJ is also developing a symposium on Leadership and Wellness where judicial officers are able to frankly discuss issues related to their well-being and the work.