https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/new-riverside-county-courthouse-menifee-improves-service-public New Riverside County Courthouse in Menifee Improves Service to the PublicCorren, Blaine Mon, 06/02/2025 - 14:10 Feature Completed in the summer of 2024, the new Menifee Justice Center in Riverside County stands as a symbol of the judicial branch’s commitment to increasing access to justice and court services for county residents. Recognizing this facility upgrade for the public, the Southern California chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) honored the courthouse project with its Project Achievement Award. The award “recognizes projects that serve as an example to the industry and are true pinnacles of excellence and innovation.” New Courthouse Features The Menifee courthouse offers services not possible due to space restrictions in the county’s other court facilities, such as enhanced and expanded jury assembly and deliberation rooms, an adequately sized self-help center and children's waiting room, and attorney interview/witness waiting rooms. The new building also addressed overcrowding, security, and accessibility issues in the court’s previous facility. Building Is Energy Efficient The building’s sustainability features satisfy the California Energy Code and qualify it for a LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance “green” buildings, which aligns with the judicial branch's goal of reducing its carbon footprint.  The courthouse’s sustainability features include drought-tolerant landscaping, efficient irrigation and plumbing systems, and energy-efficient lighting. Community Input into New Courthouse A broad-based Project Advisory Group for the courthouse project consisted of community, legal, and government leaders. The group provided input throughout the site selection, design, and construction process. In addition, public input was a part of the environmental review process. Part of a Statewide Courthouse Construction Program  The new courthouse project in Menifee was ranked as an “Immediate Need” in the judicial branch’s capital-outlay plan, making it among the branch’s highest-priority infrastructure projects. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 35 new courthouse projects, with another 18 projects underway and in various stages. These include new court facilities in both large and small counties, as well as urban and rural areas across the state. For more information on the Menifee Justice Center, visit the California court’s website at courts.ca.gov/facilities/riverside-county-new-menifee-justice-center. To see photos of the courthouse dedication ceremony celebrating the renovation project, visit the California Courts Flickr channel. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/glenn-county-courthouse-willows-classic-blend-style-and-substance Glenn County Courthouse in Willows a Classic Blend of Style and SubstanceCorren, Blaine Thu, 04/24/2025 - 13:37 Feature Completed in November 2023, the renovation of the Willows Courthouse in Glenn County achieved upgrades to the building without compromising the facility’s historic integrity. Recognizing this achievement, the California Preservation Foundation recently awarded the renovation project with its Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation, which honors the best historic preservation projects in California. The foundation will honor this year’s recipients at an award ceremony on May 9 at the California Museum in Downtown Sacramento. The Renovated Historic Building Is More Efficient, Secure Originally built in 1894 and located at 526 West Sycamore Street in Willows, the renovated and expanded historic courthouse consolidates court operations from three facilities in two cities, hearing all case types and providing a full range of court services to residents of Glenn County. The renovation project not only increased operational efficiency for the court, but also improved security and seismic strength, and upgraded mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The building’s improved security features include entrance screening of all court users, and improved fire and life safety systems. The courthouse’s sustainability features include energy-efficient lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping, and water-efficient irrigation and plumbing systems. The courthouse also has a self-help center, mediation and settlement spaces, and holding facilities for in-custody defendants. Expansion Project Preserved the Historic Nature of the Building After gaining title to the property from the county in 2011, the state Judicial Council acquired additional land to the rear of the building to construct the annex that allowed the court to consolidate its operations at one location. The council, the court, and the construction vendors worked together to add a two-courtroom annex that would complement the original historic structure. As required by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards, the new two-story addition is compatible with the historic building’s size, scale, and architectural features but different enough to preserve the original building’s character. “The court is very pleased that the California Preservation Foundation has chosen to recognize and honor this unique historic courthouse renovation project that preserves the courthouse’s identity and its place as a central and iconic fixture of the City of Willows and the Glenn County community,” stated Presiding Judge Donald Cole Byrd. Part of a Statewide Courthouse Construction Program  The courthouse renovation project was ranked as an “Immediate Need” in the judicial branch’s capital-outlay plan, making it among the branch’s highest-priority infrastructure projects. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 35 new courthouse projects, with another 18 projects underway and in various stages. These include new court facilities in both large and small counties, as well as urban and rural areas across the state. For more information on the Willows Courthouse, visit the California court’s website at www.courts.ca.gov/facilities-glenn.htm. To see photos of the courthouse dedication ceremony celebrating the renovation project, visit the California Courts Flickr channel. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-courts-helping-nursing-moms-adding-lactation-spaces California Courts Helping Nursing Moms by Adding Lactation SpacesCorren, Blaine Mon, 03/10/2025 - 16:11 Feature California courts are making a trip to the courthouse a little more comfortable for an important segment of the population: nursing mothers. The judicial branch recently added 32 new public lactation spaces in courthouses around the state, with plans to complete an additional 71 in the next 18 months. The state Legislature provided $15 million to complete the 103 lactation room projects, which should be completed by June 30, 2026. Lactation pods can be an efficient way to add a dedicated courthouse space for nursing mothers.  Lactation Spaces Increase Access to JusticeCourthouses differ from other types of public buildings because of how much time court users and the public may need to spend there. Attorneys, interpreters, and court reporters spend a considerable part of the day at the courthouse. Likewise, members of the public, including witnesses, crime victims, jurors, and family members of litigants, may spend many hours, days, or even weeks in court and need access to a lactation facility. Without a dedicated lactation space, courthouse users would be forced to use bathrooms, hallways, closets, or their vehicles parked in lots or on the street. Some courts are making use of or redesigning existing courthouse space to provide private areas for nursing mothers. Next Steps to Further Expand Access to Lactation SpacesMore state funding is needed to address the remaining, assessed need for an additional 154 more lactation spaces in superior court facilities statewide. To address this need, the Governor’s Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2025–26 includes $5.4 million to complete 22 of those projects; but an additional $50.5 million will still be needed to complete the remaining 132 projects. Judicial Council Responsible for Majority of State’s CourthousesThe California Judicial Council supports the court facilities of California's Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and trial courts by providing a broad range of services: facility planning, design and construction, quality compliance, facility operations management, environmental compliance and sustainability, real estate services and asset management, and emergency planning and security coordination. Learn more at: courts.ca.gov/programs-initiatives/facilities. 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/court-facilities-advisory-committee-approves-site-new-nevada-county-courthouse Court Facilities Advisory Committee Approves Site for New Nevada County CourthouseCorren, Blaine Tue, 11/05/2024 - 10:25 News Release The Judicial Council’s Court Facilities Advisory Committee at its meeting today approved the USDA National Forest Service Office location at 631 Coyote Street in Nevada City as the preferred site for a new courthouse in Nevada County. The committee also approved the land containing the parcels at the corner of Highway 49 and Cement Hill Road in Nevada City as the alternative site, which is required for moving forward with CEQA review of the project. In deciding on the two finalist sites, the committee considered factors such as: Preliminary environmental site assessments Potential biological, cultural, and tribal cultural considerations Site boundaries, topography, access routes, proximity to justice partners and services, potential flood zones, seismic zones, and other issues Once completed, the new building will house the court’s operations currently located in the historic Nevada City Courthouse, and will provide an accessible, efficient, and modern full-service courthouse. The new facility will also improve security, operational efficiency, and customer service. Next Steps Now that the committee has approved the selection of the preferred and alternative sites, the Judicial Council must request approval from the State Public Works Board (SPWB) to proceed. If approved, council staff will engage in purchase negotiations and coordinate further analysis of the preferred site. The council will perform additional real estate due diligence, and implement CEQA and other environmental regulatory requirements. Public outreach will occur at the commencement of CEQA (Notice of Preparation) and at the publication of the draft CEQA document. After further analysis, terms, conditions, and price are determined, a request to acquire the site will be presented to the SPWB for approval. For more information on the project, visit www.courts.ca.gov/76091.htm. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-hear-about-california-courthouse-sustainability-efforts Judicial Council to Hear About California Courthouse Sustainability EffortsCorren, Blaine Fri, 09/13/2024 - 16:43 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its September 20 meeting will hear a presentation on current sustainability efforts the judicial branch is employing at courthouses across the state. The presentation will focus on key projects that enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, conserve water, and improve waste management. Efforts include: Water conservation Solar procurement EV (electric vehicle) charger installations Setting additional sustainability standards for courthouse construction Currently, the state judicial branch has already achieved either gold or silver LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for 21 courthouses across the state and has seven more certifications in progress. LEED certification is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance “green” buildings. Judicial Branch Takes Lead on Environmental Law The council will receive an update on the importance of environmental law as an emerging area of legal practice. The presentation will include an overview of environmental law and climate change, and the role of the California judiciary as a thought leader and leader in judicial education. The council will hear about California’s intricate regulatory framework, standards, and diverse geography and ecosystems that make environmental law such a complex area of the law. The presentation will also detail how education for the state’s judges is preparing them to preside over these complex cases. Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Revisions to Judicial Branch Contracting Manual: The council will consider proposed revisions to the Judicial Branch Contracting Manual. The proposed revisions would implement the recommendation from the California State Auditor to add fraud reporting requirements that are substantially similar to the State Administrative Manual. New Court Rules and Forms: The council will consider 28 agenda items related to new rules and forms to help implement new legislation or improve case procedures. These include changes in the areas of appellate procedure, civil, criminal, protective orders, probate/conservatorships, traffic, and family and juvenile proceedings. The complete council 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/court-facility-advisory-committee-approves-site-new-plumas-county-courthouse Court Facility Advisory Committee Approves Site for New Plumas County CourthouseKaren.Datangel Fri, 08/09/2024 - 10:54 News Release The Judicial Council’s Court Facilities Advisory Committee at its meeting today approved the Feather Publishing parcel at 253, 295 and 287 Lawrence Street in downtown Quincy as the preferred site for a new courthouse in Plumas County. The Stonehouse Tavern at 1918 E. Main Street in East Quincy was approved as the alternative site. In deciding between the two finalist sites, the committee considered factors such as: Preliminary environmental site assessments   Potential biological, cultural, and tribal cultural considerations   Site boundaries, topography, access routes, proximity to justice partners and services, potential flood zones, seismic zones, and other issues Once completed, the new building will house the court’s operations currently in the historic Quincy Courthouse, and will provide an accessible, efficient, and modern full-service courthouse. The new facility will also improve security, operational efficiency, and customer service. Next Steps Now that the committee has approved the selection of the preferred and alternative sites, the Judicial Council must request approval of the State Public Works Board (SPWB) to proceed. If approved, council staff will engage in purchase negotiations and coordinate further analysis of the preferred site. The council will perform additional real estate due diligence, and implement CEQA and other environmental regulatory requirements. Public outreach will occur at the commencement of CEQA (Notice of Preparation) and at the publication of the draft CEQA document. After further analysis, terms, conditions, and price are determined, a request to acquire the site will be presented to the SPWB for approval. For more information on the project, visit https://www.courts.ca.gov/48475.htm https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-dedicate-new-riverside-county-courthouse-menifee-august-23 California Chief Justice to Dedicate New Riverside County Courthouse in Menifee: August 23Corren, Blaine Wed, 08/07/2024 - 17:40 News Release What:  California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero will join judges and staff from the Superior Court of Riverside County to officially commemorate the opening of the new Menifee Justice Center. The new courthouse opened for business July 8, 2024. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 35 new courthouse construction projects and another 16 projects are underway and in various stages. Who:  The ceremony will include remarks by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Presiding Judge Judith C. Clark, and Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran. When:  Friday, August 23, 2024, 1:00–3:00 p.m. Where:  Front steps of the New Menifee Justice Center, 27401 Menifee Center Drive, Menifee, CA NOTE: The ceremony is by invitation only and NOT open to the public—the court invites media to attend—email courtexecutiveoffice@riverside.courts.ca.gov to RSVP. Why:  The new courthouse will have room for basic services not possible at the previous courthouse due to space restrictions, such as jury assembly and deliberation rooms, an adequately sized self-help center and children's waiting room, and attorney interview/witness waiting rooms. The new building also addresses overcrowding, security, and accessibility issues. Owner: Judicial Council of CaliforniaArchitectural/Engineering Firm:  Perkins and Will – Los AngelesConstruction Management Agency:  Vanir Construction Management, Inc.Construction Manager at Risk:  Clark Construction Group, LLC For more information on the project is available here. 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/photos-california-chief-justice-helps-dedicate-courthouses-redding-and-willows Photos: California Chief Justice Helps Dedicate Courthouses in Redding and WillowsCorren, Blaine Tue, 04/16/2024 - 12:46 Feature Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero joined judges and staff from the Superior Court of Shasta County and the Superior Court of Glenn County to officially commemorate courthouses in Redding and Willows on Apr. 11 and 12, respectively. The ceremonies included remarks by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, the courts’ judges, and Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran. “These courthouses provide much-needed improvements to court services and will help ensure that we can live up to our promise of providing safe, secure, and equal access to justice for people throughout the state," said Chief Justice Guerrero.   See photos from the Redding and Willows courthouse dedication ceremonies Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 35 new courthouse projects and another 18 projects are underway and in various stages.