https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-releases-statement-governors-budget-proposal-4 California Chief Justice Releases Statement on Governor's Budget ProposalBalassone, Merrill Fri, 01/09/2026 - 11:08 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Friday issued the following statement on the Governor’s budget proposal for the judicial branch: I appreciate Governor Newsom’s ongoing support of the judicial branch to ensure Californians continue to have access to critical services even during these challenging budget times.   The Governor’s budget proposal includes much-needed investments to keep up with the rising costs of trial court operations, to increase funding for court-appointed appellate counsel representing indigent defendants, to reduce case backlogs and workload pressures in our appellate courts, and to advance critically needed new courthouse projects.   As the budget is finalized in the coming months, we are committed to working collaboratively with the Governor’s administration and the Legislature to secure the resources necessary for the judicial branch to fulfill our mission of providing access to justice for all Californians.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-continue-efforts-improve-availability-court-interpreters Judicial Council to Continue Efforts to Improve the Availability of Court InterpretersCorren, Blaine Fri, 12/12/2025 - 14:14 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its December 12 business meeting approved recommendations from a study on how to expand access to the pool of court interpreters able to assist the state’s nearly 6.4 million limited-English-proficient (LEP) residents and potential court users. Study considerations for the council include reviewing interpreter examination standards and content, adopting carryover scoring to aid candidates, and creating structured career pathways—including tiered systems and apprenticeship programs, particularly for Spanish interpreters. The study also advises that the council work with courts to develop a statewide directory for interpreters trained in video remote interpreting and continue expanding access to American Sign Language (ASL) and emerging languages. “There was broad agreement among the stakeholders for the recommendations and considerations,” said Court Executive Officer Anabel Romero, vice-chair of the council’s Court Interpreters Advisory Panel. “The study offers a roadmap for the branch to improve interpreter services for the public and to ensure our goals of high-quality equitable access for all Californians, regardless of the language they speak.” The study also calls for action by the Legislature, courts, and experienced court interpreters, which includes recommendations to continue adequately funding interpreter services, review and improve compensation packages, and develop mentorship programs. Watch Funding for Children’s Waiting RoomsThe council approved children’s waiting room fund balance cap adjustments requested by superior courts, which will allow them to continue planned operations and expansion of their children’s waiting rooms. The state encourages each courthouse to provide a waiting room for children whose parents or guardians are attending court proceedings. The waiting rooms offer professional childcare and activities, and protect children from the stress and potential trauma of courtroom environments. The Children’s Waiting Room (CWR) Distribution and Fund Balance Policy sets a cap on how much money each court may retain in its CWR fund. If a court’s balance exceeds this cap, the excess must be returned to the Trial Court Trust Fund for the benefit of courts statewide, unless the council approves a request from the court to increase the cap. For today’s meeting, the council received requests from five superior courts to increase their caps to cover costs related to maintenance and expansion of their children’s waiting rooms. By approving the requests, courts can retain this funding to support their waiting rooms. “This funding apparatus is a splendid example of the Judicial Council’s transparency in this aspect of our funding but also how efficiently we’re using this money,” said Judge Ann Moorman, chair of the council’s Judicial Branch Budget Committee. “Because of the biannual review that occurs, trial courts have to evaluate how much they need and how they use it, and then turn it back when they don’t use it. We can then support these five courts—Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara—with their expanded financial needs using the same money that’s been allocated.” Watch Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules: The council adopted the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition: Traffic, Boating, Forestry, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Business Licensing (UBPS). The UBPS includes schedules for traffic infractions, traffic misdemeanors, boating, forestry, fish and game, public utilities, parks and recreation, and business licensing. With specified exceptions, the traffic infraction schedule must be followed by the courts. On an annual basis, trial courts must also revise and adopt countywide schedules of bail and penalties for all misdemeanor and infraction offenses except Vehicle Code infractions. To achieve substantial uniformity of penalties throughout the state, courts must consider the UBPS in performing those duties. Changes to the annual schedules are primarily based on legislative changes but can also result from input by courts and justice system partners. Watch Trial Court Trust Funds: The council approved requests from trial courts under a program that allows them to request that a reduction in their Trial Court Trust Fund allocations be retained as a restricted fund balance for the benefit of those courts. The funds are then allocated back to the courts by the council for only the purposes stated in their approved requests, which can include projects related to technology infrastructure and upgrades, new audio and visual equipment, and courthouse maintenance and repairs. A report on this project funding is made publicly available on the California courts public website. Watch Legislative Priorities: The council approved the types of legislation it should support to increase access to justice for court users, which includes: adequate court funding to address increased costs; remote access to the courts while balancing due process; new judicial officer positions in counties with the greatest need; ensuring the availability of verbatim records of court proceedings; efficient court operations; and increased security to safeguard personnel, the public, and court systems from physical and cyber threats. Watch The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center—an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-approves-trial-court-funding-proposals Judicial Council Approves Trial Court Funding ProposalsCorren, Blaine Fri, 07/18/2025 - 13:40 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its July 18 business meeting approved the allocation of funding to the courts provided in the fiscal year 2025-26 state budget, which includes money for court-appointed dependency counsel, continued implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, and other costs associated with trial court operations. “I want to express my appreciation for the commitment of Governor Newsom and the Legislature for maintaining critical judicial branch programs and services we need,” said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “This includes support for language access, treatment court programs, court-appointed counsel, and court facility improvements to ensure our courthouses are safe and secure.” Watch In addition, the council approved 16 budget change proposals to the California Department of Finance for consideration in the fiscal year 2026–27 budget, which include increased funding for costs associated with the Racial Justice Act, judicial security, language access, new courthouse construction and maintenance, and other judicial branch priorities. The proposals included an additional one raised during the meeting, but that wasn’t contained in the original council report. That added proposal seeks funding for an updated workload study of court-appointed counsel that represent children and parents in juvenile dependency proceedings. Judge Ann Moorman, chair of the council’s Budget Committee, presented the additional proposal, saying it will help determine updated caseload standards and the level of funding needed to support the court-appointed counsel program. “I believe this proposal aligns with our shared commitment to provide vital services to these children and families and ensure a strong court-appointed juvenile dependency system in California.” Watch Finally, the council updated its policy by which funding is allocated to the trial courts so it equitably accounts for potential changes to the judicial branch budget, such as budget reductions and restorations. Watch New Guidance for Courts That Use Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools The council approved proposals that address local court policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence for court-related work by judicial officers or court staff. The proposed new rule and standard focus on accuracy, supervision, and transparency when judicial officers or staff are using generative AI tools. They also address privacy, bias, and security risks posed by these tools. Courts that do not prohibit the use of generative AI would be required to adopt a use policy by December 15. Watch Funding to Continue Upgrading Court TechnologyThe council allocated grant funding to specifically help courts expand their use of technology. The funding will support projects related to cyber/information security, remote proceedings, data analytics, AI, and modernizing court technology infrastructure. The council also heard about success stories from courts that have received previous grant funding for technology projects. Court leaders described projects that converted paper documents to electronic court records, increased access to digital evidence for judges and litigants, and ensured disaster recovery during unexpected server outages. “The technology modernization funding allows each court to identify particular needs of their communities,” said Judge Kyle Brodie, chair of the council’s Technology Committee. “When awarding the program funding, we emphasize the need to use technology to improve access to our courts.” Watch Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Court Interpreter Use Study: The council received the latest Language Need and Interpreter Use Study, which details interpreter usage in trials courts for fiscal years 2020–21 through 2023–24 and predicts future language need. California courts recorded more than 2.5 million interpretations during the study period, which included remote and telephonic interpretations. Courts continue to prioritize funding for interpreter services, recruitment efforts, and remote services to help serve the approximately 6.4 million limited-English-proficient individuals in the state. Watch Updated Plan for Court Construction: The council approved the Judicial Branch Five-Year Infrastructure Plan and nine capital-outlay budget change proposals for fiscal year 2026–27. The plan represents the funding needs for new courthouse construction, as well as renovations and additions to existing facilities. Grants to Improve Jury Service: The council allocated grant funding to courts to improve the management of jury service. Funding priorities include self-check-in kiosks, electronic charging stations, and interactive voice and web services. Grants to Expand Language Access: The council allocated grant funding to expand language access for court users. Funding priorities include multilingual signage, audio/visual systems, kiosks, and websites. The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center—an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-patricia-guerrero-issues-statement-judicial-branch-budget-1 Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero Issues Statement on Judicial Branch BudgetKaren.Datangel Tue, 07/01/2025 - 10:03 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero today issued a statement on the judicial branch budget for fiscal year 2025-26:  During this challenging fiscal time, I appreciate the Governor’s and the Legislature’s commitment to maintaining critical judicial branch programs and services.  The funding provided for our courts—including support for language access, treatment court programs, court-appointed counsel, and facilities improvements—helps us perform our functions as a coequal branch for the benefit of communities throughout the state.  The judicial branch worked with our sister branches of government on budget solutions during this difficult time and we will continue that partnership as we implement efficiencies and safeguard equal access to justice for all Californians. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-issues-statement-governors-may-budget-revise-0 Chief Justice Issues Statement on Governor's May Budget ReviseBalassone, Merrill Wed, 05/14/2025 - 09:13 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Wednesday issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal for the judicial branch: As Governor Newsom strives to address a variety of risk factors with the budget solutions in his revised 2025-26 state budget proposal, we appreciate his ongoing commitment to mitigate the impacts on access to justice for Californians. We look forward to working with his Administration and the Legislature to finalize the budget in the coming weeks.” Governor's budget proposal for 2025-26  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/council-receives-preview-new-model-policy-provides-guidelines-safeguards-use-generative-ai Council Receives Preview of New Model Policy That Provides Guidelines, Safeguards on Use of Generative AI by CourtsCorren, Blaine Fri, 02/21/2025 - 15:02 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—At its business meeting today, the Judicial Council got a preview of a new model policy that will help ensure the responsible and safe use of generative AI by California courts. Courts will be able to adopt or modify the model policy as needed. “This is a positive step in a rapidly developing area,” said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, who last year announced the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force to evaluate generative AI for its potential benefits to courts and court users while mitigating risks to safeguard the public. “We must balance the issues you’ve identified: accountability, transparency, confidentiality, and privacy protection.” Model AI Policy Includes Court Input, Creates Safeguards To ensure input from the policy’s eventual users, the task force surveyed state courts. The task force asked courts about any existing policies and ways in which they are (or are not) using generative AI. “We learned what topics courts intended to cover in their use policies, but also that many were waiting for guidance from the task force and the Judicial Council before drafting their own,” said Justice Mary J. Greenwood, a member of the AI task force. “That helped us establish what the task force should be working on.” Justice Greenwood shared that the model policy will provide courts with general guidelines for using generative AI in their daily, non-adjudicative duties, which includes direction on: Reviewing generative AI material for accuracy, completeness, errors, and hallucinations   Ensuring AI material is not biased, offensive, or harmful   Disclosing if generative AI outputs make up a substantial portion of a written or visual work provided to the public Working on More AI Guidance for Court Staff and Judges In addition to introducing the model AI policy, the task force also detailed its ongoing work. The task force plans to develop further direction for courts adopting their own generative AI policies, as well as guidance for judicial officers using AI in their adjudicative role. The task force hopes to develop a rule of court and a standard of judicial administration on these additional issues in the coming months. Watch Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Caseflow Management Update: The chairs of the council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee and Court Executives Advisory Committee told meeting attendees that effective caseflow management is “a duty of both judges and court executive officers” and that “resolving cases in a timely manner is critical to ensuring court users’ rights are protected.” The presenters also shared that courts use technology and data to measure caseflow and to help them ensure compliance with standards for the timely disposition of cases. A council caseflow management subcommittee will convene in March to continue working on the issue and will keep the council updated on its progress. Watch Certification Programs for American Sign Language (ASL) Court Interpreters: To help increase the number of ASL interpreters, the council approved revised guidelines to modernize the application process for program certification, support the recognition of additional ASL court interpreter testing entities as they become available, and maintain rigorous certification standards while expanding the pool of qualified interpreters. ASL interpreting is the fourth-most interpreted language in the California courts.  Watch Addressing Costs to Provide Court Interpreters: The council voted to augment its funding for court interpreters to address shortfalls due to increasing costs and expenses. The allocations will help maintain current levels of interpreter services for court users. Watch Funding for Courthouse Lactation Spaces: The council approved a report to the Legislature that details how the judicial branch has added 32 new lactation spaces for the public at its courthouses, as well as plans to complete an additional 71 in the next 18 months. More state funding is needed to address the remaining, assessed need for an additional 154 more lactation spaces in superior court facilities statewide. Watch Partial Restoration of Trial Court Operations Funding: The council approved the allocation of the approximately $42 million funding restoration provided by the state to partially offset the $97 million reduction to trial court operations funding included in the Budget Act of 2024. The funding restoration will help courts restore services and expand clerk counter hours for the public that were decreased in response to the $97 million reduction. Watch New Judicial Council Member Sworn in: Chief Justice Guerrero swore in the council’s newest member Assistant Presiding Judge Ricardo R. Ocampo, whose term on the council began Jan. 1, 2025, and will run to Sept. 14, 2027. He replaces Judge Michelle Williams Court, who was appointed to the federal bench in November 2024. Watch The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center--an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-releases-statement-governors-budget-proposal-3 California Chief Justice Releases Statement on Governor's Budget ProposalBalassone, Merrill Fri, 01/10/2025 - 17:57 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Friday issued the following statement on the Governor’s budget proposal for the judicial branch: I appreciate Governor Newsom’s support of the judicial branch during these challenging times. The courts play an essential role in ensuring equal access to justice, protecting constitutional rights, and maintaining public trust in our democracy—all of which is built upon adequate and stable funding. As the budget is finalized in the coming months, we are committed to working with the Governor's administration and the Legislature to secure adequate resources for the judicial branch to fulfill its public service obligations and meet the needs of Californians.”   Governor Newsom’s budget proposal for the judicial branch https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-allocates-funding-trial-courts-97-million-required-cut Judicial Council Allocates Funding to Trial Courts With $97 Million Required CutCorren, Blaine Fri, 07/12/2024 - 13:07 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its July 12 meeting approved funding allocations to the trial courts, which includes a $97 million reduction to local trial courts as required by the fiscal year 2024-25 budget. “What we are doing is making a decision in how to spread the reduction among all of the trial courts in the most fair manner possible,” said Judge Jonathan Conklin, chair of the council’s Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee. “The goals were equity, transparency, and stability.” In addition to the $97 million reduction to the trial courts, the state budget also calls for a commensurate reduction of 7.95% to the state-level judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, Habeas Corpus Resource Center, and the Judicial Council. “The courts are vital to the public and the fair administration of justice,” said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “We will continue to raise our concerns about the real-life impact of these cuts on Californians throughout the state who rely on our courts. Despite these challenges, we will continue to work diligently to mitigate and manage impacts to the courts and to the public we serve.” Despite the reductions caused by the state’s multiyear deficit, the budget includes funding for priorities set by Chief Justice Guerrero and the Judicial Council to maintain critical programs and services provided by the branch, such as: Backfill funding to address declining fines, fees, and penalty revenues that support trial court operations across all 58 counties   Resources for the growing number of self-represented litigants   Courthouse construction and facility operations and maintenance The budget also includes funding for pretrial programs, court-appointed dependency counsel, court interpreters, and continuing implementation of the CARE Act. Watch Increasing Numbers of Court Interpreters The council received an update on a pilot program to increase the number of court employee interpreters by reimbursing aspiring candidates for their training costs and up to three examination fees. “More than 200 languages and dialects are spoken in California,” said David Yamasaki, court executive officer for the Superior Court of Orange County. “Without proper language assistance from court interpreters, limited-English-proficient users may be excluded from meaningful participation in the court process. The workforce pilot program is an important and timely vehicle to help increase our number of court interpreters and assist the courts in meeting the needs of California’s 6.8 million limited-English-proficient residents and potential court users.” At its previous meeting in May, the council allocated $6.8 million provided in the fiscal year 2023-24 state budget for the five-year pilot program. Twenty superior courts have signed up to participate. As part of the pilot program: Participating courts will hire successful candidates after they pass all required exams   Candidates must agree up front to work for court for at least three years   Courts can accept up to 10 candidates per court, per year The 20 participating courts collectively have already received more than 500 applications from aspiring interpreters. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1. WatchOther Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Five-Year Plan for Courthouse Construction Projects: The council approved an update to the Judicial Branch Five-Year Infrastructure Plan, which outlines funding needs for new courthouse construction, renovations, and additions to existing facilities. The council also approved eight budget change proposals, which is how the branch requests funding for phases of trial court construction projects in the first year of the five-year plan. The council will submit the updated plan and the eight budget change proposals to the state Department of Finance. Watch Funding for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program: The council approved allocations to fund 45 CASA programs that serve 52 California counties. Judicial officers appoint trained CASA volunteers that advocate for children in juvenile court. CASA volunteers spend time with the child, monitor their needs, and provide child-focused recommendations to the court based on the best interests of the child. More than 7,000 CASA volunteers serve approximately 11,000 children, donating 400,000 hours per year to help children, judges, and other professionals in the state’s juvenile courts. Watch Funding for Child Support Commissioner and Family Law Facilitator Program: The council approved the annual funding allocation for the AB 1058 Child Support Commissioner and Family Law Facilitator program. Each superior court must have a child support commissioner, a judicial officer that specializes in hearing child support cases. Each court must also have a family law facilitator, a lawyer that can help litigants understand and navigate the child support system by providing educational materials, assisting with forms, and making referrals to other resources. The funding helps increase meaningful access for litigants involved in family court proceedings. Watch Budget Change Proposals: The council agreed to submit eight budget change proposals to the Department of Finance for consideration in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Attempting to balance investment in core programs and services against the state’s budget deficit, these proposals include additional funding for court security, courthouse construction and maintenance, and court-appointed counsel programs for the Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal. Watch The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center--an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available.   https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-patricia-guerrero-issues-statement-judicial-branch-budget Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero Issues Statement on Judicial Branch Budget Balassone, Merrill Fri, 06/28/2024 - 11:55 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero today issued a statement on the judicial branch budget for 2024-25: We understand that our state is facing difficult fiscal times and we remain committed to doing our part to help address the statewide budget deficit. That said, we are concerned that these cuts to the judicial branch budget will have real impacts on operations, services, and access for everyone seeking to resolve disputes or assert their legal rights in our courts. We will work diligently to mitigate and manage impacts to the courts and to the public.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-issues-statement-governors-may-budget-revise-1 Chief Justice Issues Statement on Governor's May Budget ReviseBalassone, Merrill Fri, 05/10/2024 - 11:00 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Friday issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal for the judicial branch: We understand that the current fiscal climate requires Governor Newsom to accelerate budget cost reduction strategies across all of state government and are concerned about the impact these cuts will have on protecting critical court programs and services. The entire state court system remains steadfast in our commitment to preserving equal access to justice for all Californians. I remain committed to working with the Governor’s administration and the Legislature as we all work towards a final state budget."