https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/report-cites-ways-help-increase-diversity-jurors Report Cites Ways to Help Increase the Diversity of JurorsCorren, Blaine Wed, 03/23/2022 - 12:08 News Release Feature A new interim report from a judicial branch pandemic workgroup recommends expanding the number and diversity of people able to fulfill jury service by increasing juror pay, adjusting reporting times, and providing remote options. “One of the silver linings emerging from the trial courts’ response to the pandemic is looking with fresh eyes at ways to improve the juror experience,” said Justice Marsha Slough, chair of the pandemic workgroup. “We’ve been able to reimagine ways for people to participate in jury duty that might not have been thought possible a few years ago. Providing Californians with opportunities to participate online helps clear obstacles and enables them to participate in the fundamental civic responsibility of jury duty.” In crafting its recommendations, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye’s Ad Hoc Workgroup on Post-Pandemic Initiatives heard from judicial officers, court executives, criminal and civil attorneys, and court staff. The workgroup asked these groups to comment on juror selection practices adopted during the pandemic via changes in jury management and operations, while maintaining the health and safety of court users, judicial officers, staff, and particularly prospective and sworn jurors. Based on those comments, the workgroup report recommends to:  Raise juror pay and travel reimbursement to reduce financial hardships and improve options for getting to the courthouse   Allow jurors to complete juror questionnaires and hardship forms online before being required to physically appear in court for voir dire   Stagger jury service appearance times with varying panel sizes in order to maximize efficiency for court staff and the summoned jurors   Develop tools for courts to conduct voir dire remotely, which helps streamline the juror selection process and gather information related to for-cause and peremptory challenges   We’ve been able to reimagine ways for people to participate in jury duty that might not have been thought possible a few years ago. — Justice Marsha Slough Pandemic Makes Fulfilling Jury Service Even Tougher The workgroup’s report notes the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many new and existing barriers to jury service, especially for low-income and unhoused individuals, communities of color, seniors, the disabled, parents of young children, those without access to reasonable transportation, and other vulnerable, underserved, or underrepresented populations. The workgroup explains its recommendations could help expand access to jury service and increase the diversity of jurors able to serve, resulting in better jury deliberations, fewer hung juries, and greater public confidence in the justice system. Next Steps The pandemic workgroup will coordinate its efforts to improve juror systems with the Judicial Council’s recently established Jury Administration and Management subcommittee, which consists of members from the council’s Court Executives Advisory Committee. The subcommittee will review jury operations, identify best practices, and make recommendations on potential reforms and other post-pandemic issues. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-consider-ending-remaining-emergency-rules Judicial Council to Consider Ending Remaining Emergency RulesCorren, Blaine Fri, 03/04/2022 - 11:05 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council next week will consider ending remaining temporary emergency rules it approved to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the proposal, all emergency rules still in effect would sunset on June 30, which include rules relating to: Remote appearances and personal appearance waivers by criminal defendants Priority for certain juvenile proceedings Temporary restraining or protective order renewals Deadlines to file a civil action or bring a civil case to trial Changes to support orders The proposal to rescind the remaining emergency rules comes in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s rollback of executive orders related to the state’s pandemic response, as well as the courts’ increasing ability to accommodate the changes resulting from the pandemic. This week, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye also rescinded, effective April 30, her remaining statewide emergency measures established to address pandemic-related challenges to court operations. Proposed Legislation to Authorize Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases The council will consider sponsoring legislation to allow remote criminal proceedings to continue and expand a defendant’s right to waive their appearance and appear remotely or for counsel to appear on their behalf. The legislation would allow courts to continue these efficiencies authorized under temporary emergency rules, which if amended by the council, would sunset on June 30. Other items on the March 11 council meeting agenda include: Modernizing Court Operations: The council will receive a report on how $25 million from this year’s state budget continues to modernize trial court operations by supporting the expansion of electronic filing, hearing reminders, access to court records, and other online services. New Data Analytics Committee: The council will consider establishing a Data Analytics Advisory Committee to analyze and share data to better inform judicial branch decision making and enhance public access to court data and information. Improving the Juror Experience: The Chief Justice’s Ad Hoc Workgroup on Post-Pandemic Initiatives will preview a soon-to-be-released report on jury service. The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-rescinds-temporary-emergency-measures California Chief Justice Rescinds Temporary Emergency MeasuresBalassone, Merrill Thu, 03/03/2022 - 08:28 News Release California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Thursday rescinded four emergency measures —governing extensions of time for preliminary hearings and civil trials, the use of technology, and fast-tracking local court rules—which were among her first actions taken shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following four emergency measures will be rescinded effective April 30. They were originally issued by Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye on March 23 and March 30, 2020 to: Allow courts to extend time to hold a preliminary hearing in a criminal case to 30 days. Courts have a 10-day time period to hold preliminary hearings.  Allow courts to extend time to bring civil cases to trial, by up to 60 days. Suspend any California Rule of Court that prevents using technology to conduct judicial proceedings and court operations remotely. Allow courts to immediately adopt proposed local rules or amendments that address the impact of the pandemic, without advance circulation for 45 days of public comment. The Chief Justice rescinded the orders after Gov. Gavin Newsom last week announced a rollback of executive orders related to the state’s pandemic response. Said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye: “These events mark an important and hopeful change as the residents and government of our state transition to a semblance of pre-COVID-19 California.”  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/council-consider-ways-help-court-users-risk-homelessness Council to Consider Ways to Help Court Users at Risk of HomelessnessCorren, Blaine Fri, 11/12/2021 - 11:56 News Release VIA WEB CONFERENCE—The Judicial Council next week will hear ways the judicial branch could increase access and assistance for court users experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. In its final report to the council, the Chief Justice’s Work Group on Homelessness provides recommendations on how the judicial branch could help improve the process for litigants in eviction cases, including: Increasing remote access, expanding self-help resources, and creating more user-friendly court forms with information sheets and checklists   Supporting the development of legislation to create and fund a statewide program to provide legal representation in residential eviction cases for litigants who can’t afford attorneys   Starting and/or expanding court diversion, mediation, and settlement efforts The report further explains how remote access to courts in general can benefit those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. While much of this population has access to a cell phone or computer, transportation and other barriers can make it difficult to access the courthouse in person. In addition, the work group also recommends more courts establish special homeless court programs, which can reduce barriers to housing stability by clearing defendants’ fines, fees, warrants, and outstanding cases after treatment and rehabilitation. According to the latest data, 18 California counties have some form of homeless court program. Other items on the Nov. 19 council meeting agenda include: Addressing Bias in Court Proceedings: The council will consider recommendations from a work group established by the Chief Justice to review and revise standards that promote an environment free of bias and the appearance of bias in court proceedings. Remote Proceedings Guide for Judicial Officers: The council’s Ad Hoc Workgroup on Post-Pandemic Initiatives will discuss a new resource guide that will help judges plan and conduct proceedings by videoconference. Civic Learning Initiative: The council will get an update from the Power of Democracy Steering Committee, which promotes efforts to connect courts with schools in their community, including the Civic Learning Awards and Judges in the Classroom programs. The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-speaks-emergency-orders-remote-services-diversifying-california-judiciary Chief Justice Speaks on Emergency Orders, Remote Services, Diversifying California JudiciarySoltysik, Penne Fri, 10/22/2021 - 10:38 Feature On October 21, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) hosted a virtual Conversation with Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye. The one-hour event was streamed live on the PPIC website and on social media.  The chief justice responded to questions from PPIC Director Mark Baldassare on a number of judicial branch subjects, including case backlogs, diversity on the bench, pandemic operations, and delivering court services remotely. Many of the chief justice's remarks supported the judicial branch's deployment of remote services to court users during the pandemic. While in-person appearances remain the "gold standard," the Chief Justice said remote hearings increased access to justice during the pandemic, particularly in family law and juvenile cases. (View report)  A new law allows California's courts to conduct proceedings in civil cases with remote technology until 2023. We found a new equity and fairness in access to justice through a remote process and we’ll never give that up. --Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye   Jump marks to topics: Role of the Chief Justice 4:45 Statewide look at Local Courts 18:09 Backlog during the pandemic 27:19 Bench diversity 35:24 Criminal justice reform 42:26 Q&A 45:42 https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/covid-19-news-center COVID-19 News Center Courts have been advised to follow guidance provided by the Department of Public Health, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the virus. Updates will be communicated through local court websites as appropriate. For details about local court operations, visit the court's website using the Find My Court tool. Soltysik, Penne Tue, 08/25/2020 - 19:17 Tags Covid-19 Tagline Recent emergency orders, including statewide judicial branch actions are available in the California Courts' Covid-19 News section. Images San Bernardino County Sorting Weight -1