https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/few-good-fellows A Few Good Fellowselaine.chan Wed, 05/20/2026 - 11:26 Feature Mihini Jayasinghe is not an attorney, but she is supporting the development and implementation of a self-service chatbot that will help litigants without attorneys better navigate the court process. Jayasinghe is a Judicial Fellow at the Orange Superior Court, where her fellowship project goals are to streamline the self-help staff workload, shorten in-person wait times, and expand access to procedural guidance for self-represented litigants. Jayasinghe’s experience on this project is just one example of how the statewide Judicial Fellowship Program is making a difference and improving access to justice in California. What is the Judicial Fellowship Program?  The Judicial Fellowship is a 10-month graduate-level program that offers participants a unique opportunity to work in court administration and learn about California’s judicial branch. It is part of the nationally recognized Capital Fellows Programs, which also has fellowships in the other branches of state government. Participants are placed in either Judicial Council staff offices or executive offices at superior courts around the state. Upon completion of the program, participants receive a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government through Sacramento State. Unique Post-Graduate Opportunity Interest in the Judicial Fellowship Program has grown dramatically. The first Judicial Fellowship cohort (1997-98) had five fellows, then expanded to ten soon after. Over the past two application cycles, there has been a near 100% year-over-year increase in applications, making the program highly attractive to potential participants. The increased interest in the program could be tied to its unique subject matter and work experience compared to other entry-level positions. “There is a real specialty in serving as a Judicial Fellow because of the work experience exposure combined with the educational component,” according to Megan Thorall, the director of the program. “As far as I know, we’re the only program of our kind in the nation.” Sidney Sheets, a fellow with the Judicial Council’s Office of Governmental Affairs, described her surprise at the breadth of exposure and variety of work she’s done. “I’ve just learned so much about the legislative process, how it impacts the courts and the public,” said Sheets. “I really feel like I’ve gotten a bird’s eye view and a foundational understanding of California government as a whole.” Program Support One feature that sets the program apart is its strong support network. Participants have a program director and a mentor in their placement office providing support throughout the year. Giovana De Loia, a fellow with the Placer Superior Court, describes the mentorship as her favorite component. “I meet with [court executive officer] Jake [Chatters] every week and I probably talk to him every single day about whatever I'm doing,” said De Loia. “He's always there for any questions that I have. And with Megan, the program director, it's kind of like having two mentors who are also your bosses, which is not typical for a regular entry-level job.” Jayasinghe appreciates the guidance and welcome she’s received from the Orange Superior Court. “From the very beginning, I have just received an unbelievable amount of support from everyone within the court,” said Jayasinghe. “All the different departments and the different teams that I work with are just incredibly friendly and supportive, and really willing to show me the ropes and share their knowledge,” she said. Academic and Field Seminars A key aspect of the program is the academic seminar, where fellows learn about the history and fundamentals of court administration and contemporary issues facing the judiciary. "The academic seminar material often ties into what’s happening at the courthouse,” said De Loia. “It’s nice to see the theoretical turning into the practical.” The seminar is taught by the programs academic advisor, Court Executive Officer Sharif Elmallah. In addition to the academic component, fellows participate in monthly field seminars where they visit different superior courts across the state and learn about various programs and policy areas. Recent field seminars included a visit to the Butte Superior Court to learn about juvenile justice and a visit to the Orange Superior Court to learn about technological innovations being developed there. The seminars allow fellows to understand issues affecting the branch from multiple perspectives. “There’s something really satisfying about getting to see things in your placement, reading about them in class, and then hearing about them in the field seminar,” said Hailee Pitschke, a fellow placed with the Los Angeles Superior Court. Fellowship Projects Improve Access to Justice The fellowship culminates in a fellowship project that participants spend much of the year developing. During the field seminar to the Butte Superior Court, fellows heard about a number of different fellowship projects completed in recent years, including procuring and installing a jury check-in kiosk, and fully producing a self-help video guide for the public. These tangible improvements fellows have created, installed, or implemented continue to help serve the public as lasting proof of their work towards improving access to justice. Beyond the work product fellows leave behind, Program Director Thorall notes that fellows leave other benefits too, with each class leaving a real impression on the mentors and the court. “They're all very special each in their own way, and I think that you need that in a professional space,” she said. “It’s such a privilege to have the fellows because [they] really give a lot of joy and a lot of ideas.” “The camaraderie amongst all of the Judicial Fellows is something that really stands out to me,” said Jayasinghe. “It’s incredible to be in the same space as like-minded individuals who are incredibly passionate about public service. I don't think there's ever a dull moment in the academic and field seminar because of the fellows. It's something that I'm very grateful for and I will never forget about this experience.” Career Possibilities The program has also influenced what fellows hope to pursue in the future. Just like many former fellows have stayed in the judicial branch or in public service, several current fellows also expressed a desire to remain in the branch beyond their fellowship and continue working to improve access to justice for the public. Christian Mendoza, placed in the Judicial Council’s Policy and Research office, shared how the experience has shaped his goals. “It solidified my passion for really wanting to stay in public service,” said Mendoza. “I always wanted to be able to give back to my community and uplift individuals that have grown up in similar circumstances to me or my family. The branch's message of providing equal access to justice is something that resonates deeply within me and I can see that I'm making some sort of impact.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-guerrero-brings-together-courts-and-classrooms-celebrate-law-day-and-civic Chief Justice Guerrero Brings Together Courts and Classrooms to Celebrate Law Day and Civic LearningMartin.Novitski Tue, 05/19/2026 - 10:33 Feature Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero welcomed judges, educators, students, and their parents to Sacramento on May 1 to celebrate Law Day, a national observance recognizing the rule of law and its role in our democracy. The program featured the theme “Rule of Law and the American Dream,” and included student speeches and the announcement of the 2026 Civic Learning Award recipients. Before formally welcoming guests to the event, Chief Justice Guerrero, Justice Judith McConnell, Justice Laurie Earl, and Judge Julia Alloggiamento met with students from the Natomas Unified School District for an informal conversation about leadership pathways and challenges facing the judicial branch.  During the event, held in the main courtroom at the Third District Court of Appeal, Chief Justice Guerrero spoke about the importance of preserving judicial independence and public confidence in the courts. “The rule of law isn’t just about knowing details about the structure of our government,” Chief Justice Guerrero said. “It’s about involving students and ensuring they’re engaged in their communities.” The Law Day event was planned by the Chief Justice’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative. The program included remarks from long-time initiative supporter David Gordon, Superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education, whose service to the judicial branch earned him the Chief Justice’s Champion of Civics Award in 2025.   “This year's theme, the rule of law and the American Dream, reminds us that civic learning isn’t theoretical,” Gordon said. “It’s something students must practice beginning in the elementary grades.” Student Voices Take Center Stage Six high school students delivered original, soapbox-style speeches reflecting on the promise and challenges of the American Dream.   Award Recipients Announced Power of Democracy leads Justice  McConnell, Judge Alloggiamento and award co-sponsor Chief Justice Guerrero closed the event by announcing the recipients of the 2026 Civic Learning Awards, a statewide program that honors California K–12 schools for exceptional commitments to civic education. Honorees will be visited by judges of the California Courts in September in celebration of Constitution Month. The Law Day event was sponsored by Chief Justice Guerrero’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative, in partnership with the Third District Court of Appeal. View the event playlist on YouTube. See the full album on the California Courts Flickr. To learn more about the initiative, visit powerofdemocracy.org https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-courts-celebrate-jurors-0 California Courts Celebrate Jurorsnatalie.l.ston… Mon, 05/18/2026 - 11:47 Feature In 1998, the California Legislature designated the second full week in May as Juror Appreciation Week to honor the sacrifices and contributions of citizens who uphold the right of trial by jury and to raise awareness about their contribution to the court system. "During Jury Appreciation Week, we honor the unsung heroes of our justice system," said Orange County Presiding Judge Sheila F. Hanson. "This week is an important opportunity to reflect and recognize, with deep gratitude, the invaluable contributions that each juror has made to our judicial system. We express our gratitude for the pivotal role that jurors play in the democracy of our country--jury service is the bedrock of our justice system."  During Juror Appreciation Week, many courts make an extra effort to recognize those fulfilling their jury service. These are a few examples: Napa Superior Court is celebrating the entire month and providing cookies for all jurors at the beginning of each week in May. They’re also providing lunch one day per week for each sworn jury.  Orange Superior Court had court staff greet jurors with tokens of appreciation for their time, commitment, and support.  Placer Superior Court held a special event that brought together judicial officers, appellate justices, court staff, attorneys, and former jurors.  Sacramento Superior Court provided popcorn, water, and other goodies. Posters created by local high school students were displayed digitally.  San Bernardino Superior Court provided prospective jurors with certificates of appreciation, light refreshments, and word games.  San Francisco Superior Court acknowledged the work of the outgoing 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury with snacks, drinks, and goodies.  Santa Clara Superior Court encouraged the public to join in their celebration of jurors by writing handwritten notes, through social media messages, or by offering a simple expression of thanks.  Tulare Superior Court gave out swag bags to jurors, including pens, notepads, and pins with designs that thank jurors. Making the Jury System Better for Jurors In addition to Juror Appreciation Week, the California courts show their appreciation for jurors all year round. Learn more about recent statewide initiatives to improve jury service in California. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/data-shows-success-yolo-superior-courts-pretrial-services-program Data Shows Success of Yolo Superior Court’s Pretrial Services ProgramCorren, Blaine Tue, 05/12/2026 - 15:00 Feature In Yolo County: More than 95% of monitored individuals appeared for their arraignment hearing   More than 90% of monitored individuals appeared at a subsequent court hearing   Less than 3% of monitored individuals committed a new offense, while less than 1% committed a new violent offense A newly released statewide report on pretrial services programs highlights the success that Yolo County is having in ensuring arrested individuals released before trial avoid rearrest and appear for their court proceedings. Pretrial services programs aim to increase the safe and efficient release of arrested individuals before trial, using the least restrictive monitoring practices possible while still protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances. Yolo Court Collects Additional Data on Pretrial Services Program OutcomesReleased in April, the statewide report representing California’s 58 superior courts includes data on arrest bookings, types of pretrial release, assessments conducted, and the use of monitoring and supportive services. But the Yolo Superior Court collected additional program data on their arrested individuals released before trial, including if they failed to appear for their arraignments or at subsequent court hearings. The court also tracked if arrested individuals released before trial committed a new offense, and if so, if it was a violent offense. Image In the Yolo court from July 2024 through June 2025: More than 95% of monitored individuals appeared for their arraignment hearing   More than 90% of monitored individuals appeared at a subsequent court hearing   Less than 3% of monitored individuals committed a new offense, while less than 1% percent committed a new violent offense Yolo Court Works Closely with County PartnersThe Yolo court credits much of its success in decreasing failure to appear and rearrest rates to effective collaboration with its county justice partners. For example, probation provides services such as mental health referrals and performance tracking. “We met regularly with pretrial partners to address operational needs and refine procedures during development and early implementation of the program,” said Rocio Richter, a Senior Court Analyst with the Yolo Superior Court. “Now that the program is well established, we no longer hold standing meetings, but communication remains open and ongoing. We connect as needed, particularly when there are upcoming program changes, questions or concerns that arise.” Court Uses Technology to Stay Connected with Monitored Individuals Another key element to the Yolo court’s success includes upgraded audio/visual and videoconfencing systems. The court installed three cameras in each courtroom (for the judge, witness, and counsel tables/lecterns) and a system that supports three camera views and presentation based on active microphones and streaming capabilities “By upgrading the AV systems, the court improved user participation in hybrid courtroom proceedings whether appearing in person or remotely,” adds Richter. “Regardless of the location, parties on a case can see and be seen by all others involved, present evidence, and see evidence presented by others.  The upgrade resulted in increased access and reduced interruptions.” In addition to the success of the Yolo court's program, the report also highlighted best practices from other courts' pretrial programs. The court also implemented a text notification system to help reduce failures to appear. Monitored individuals have the option to receive text notifications of court dates, continuances, or cancellations through smartphone devices.  As part of the pretrial services program, county probation helps them register for text notifications as part of their release. Judicial Council Support for Pretrial Services ProgramsIn addition to statewide reporting, the Judicial Council supports courts’ pretrial services programs through disbursement and oversight of state funding; pretrial education and training for the courts and justice partners; and ongoing communication and program guidance, technical assistance, and site visits. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/right-be-judged-your-peers-made-possible-jurors-0 Right to be Judged by Your Peers Made Possible by Jurors natalie.l.ston… Mon, 05/11/2026 - 10:50 Feature This year, the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Outlined in the Declaration of Independence and later guaranteed as a right in the Constitution, jury service stands as one of the cornerstones of the American judicial system.  "Jury service is more than a civic duty—it is a privilege and a responsibility that ensures fairness and equality under the law," says Chief Justice of California Patricia Guerrero. "When you serve as a juror, you uphold the promise that justice is not decided by government alone, but by the people." Juror Appreciation Week In 1998, the California Legislature designated the second full week in May to honor the contributions of citizens who devote their time and effort to "making the cherished right of trial by jury a reality and to raise awareness about their contributions to the courts." The Judicial Council of California and the state’s trial courts use Juror Appreciation Week to recognize the sacrifice people make in taking time away from their lives, families, and jobs to fulfill one of the most important duties in our democracy: serving as a juror in a court of law. Every year in California:  Over 10 million people are summoned for jury service, or 1 in 4 people statewide  More than 4.5 million people complete jury service, either in-person, on call, or on standby Approximately 100,000 people are sworn in as trial jurors  More than 70% of prospective jurors who arrive in person complete their service in one day  Making the Jury System Better for Jurors  In addition to Juror Appreciation Week, the California courts show their appreciation for jurors all year round. The following are some recent statewide initiatives to improve jury service in California: Gender Inclusive Language: The Judicial Council adopted a new standard of judicial administration to ensure gender inclusivity. Following the directive of Assembly Bill 1899, the new standard will use gender-neutral language in juror communications and materials, such as using the phrase "a person's jury service obligation" instead of "his or her jury service obligation."   Juror Mental Health and Wellness: The Judicial Council released a new webpage focusing on juror mental health and wellness. After jury service, some people may feel anxiety or increased stress. The webpage highlights symptoms that may arise, offers coping techniques, and offers additional resources to receive mental health support.    Jury Data Report: Every fiscal year, the Jury Data Report includes data from trial courts, used to improve jury operations statewide. Some of the metrics the report tracks are the number of people summoned for jury service, the most common reasons someone may be excused from jury service, and how many people complete jury service in one day.    Juror e-Payment Platform: Courts are now able to offer an electronic payment option for jurors to receive their per diem payment. A per diem payment is the daily compensation a person receives for jury service. For electronic payments, courts do not need to collect a juror's financial information and payments can be received in as soon as one day. Jurors only need a U.S. phone number to sign up.  Additional Improvements to Jury Service Over the Years These are a few more ways California courts have made the civic right and obligation of jury service more convenient for its citizens: One Day or One Trial Jury Service: If a person is not chosen for a jury panel after one day of service at a courthouse, their service is completed for at least one year. If a person is selected to serve on a jury, their service is completed for at least a year or longer after the trial is over.    Plain Language Jury Instructions: Civil and criminal jury instructions use plain language, or language that is understandable to jurors, to accurately explain the law.    Jury Portals: Courts continue to improve their online jury portals where individuals can check dates of service, request postponements and excusals, and sign up for reminders. Additional features include the ability to contact jury department staff with concerns, get information about court procedures, and obtain proof of jury service for employers. Additional Resources to Learn About Jury Service Jury Handbook  Information about how to respond to your juror summons  Guide to jury deliberations Guide to coping with jury service stress  Information for employers on the benefits of continuing to pay employees during their jury service  Learn more about jury service.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-judicial-branch-dedicates-new-sacramento-courthouse California Judicial Branch Dedicates New Sacramento CourthouseCorren, Blaine Tue, 05/05/2026 - 15:25 Feature SACRAMENTO—State and local officials, local judges and court staff, and California Supreme Court justices gathered last month to help commemorate the completion of the new Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse. Full-size photos and captions from the dedication ceremony can also be seen on Flickr Courthouse Named After Retired Chief Justice With Sacramento Roots The courthouse dedication ceremony featured remarks from Presiding Judge Lawrence G. Brown, Court Executive Officer Kelly Sullivan, Administrative Presiding Justice Brad Hill, and Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran. The speakers praised the new building and its ability to better serve the residents of Sacramento County. They also praised one specific Sacramento County resident for which the new courthouse is named in honor of: Former California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye. Prior to serving as the first woman of color and the second female chief justice of California (2011-2023), Cantil-Sakauye served on the bench of the Sacramento Superior Court and the Sacramento-based Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. Speakers called Cantil-Sakauye “a giant and pioneer in the Sacramento and statewide legal community,” helping to define what it means to be a thoughtful, accountable, and courageous leader of the judicial branch. Video about the need for and history of the new Sacramento courthouse project New Courthouse Improves Services to the Public Officially opened for business to the public in April, the courthouse provides a new 18-story, 53-courtroom courthouse of approximately 540,000 square feet in downtown Sacramento. The new building improves operational efficiency, access to justice, and overall public service through the consolidation of court operations and calendars, elimination of current space shortfall, increased security, and replacement of inadequate and obsolete facilities, including the existing Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse. The Building Is Energy EfficientThe new Sacramento courthouse is built to LEED Silver status, as designated 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. The courthouse’s sustainability features include drought-tolerant landscaping, water-efficient irrigation and plumbing systems, and energy-efficient lighting. Courthouse Recognizes Indigenous HeritageThe new courthouse resides on land that has long been the ancestral territory of the Valley Nisenan, Southern Maidu, and Plains Miwok peoples. These Indigenous communities have served as stewards of this region since time immemorial, caring for and nurturing the land long before the establishment of the present-day court. Plaques around the perimeter of property embedded in some of the architectural landscaping features pay tribute to this history. During the dedication ceremony, Presiding Judge Brown and Raquel Williams (Wilton Rancheria) recognized the contributions and history of the area’s indigenous peoples and read an official land acknowledgement. Statewide Court Facilities Program The Judicial Council supports the court facilities of California's Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and trial courts by providing a broad range of services. These include facility planning, design and construction, facility operations management, environmental compliance and sustainability, real estate services and asset management, and emergency planning and security coordination. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch has completed 38 new courthouse projects and another 15 projects are underway and in various stages. Learn more about the state’s courthouse construction projects https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/legal-history-asian-american-pacific-islander-experience-california Legal History of Asian American Pacific Islander Experience in CaliforniaKaren.Datangel Fri, 05/01/2026 - 15:12 Feature The state judicial branch's strategic plan includes the goal of Access, Fairness, Diversity, and Inclusion, where "The makeup of California’s judicial branch will reflect the diversity of the state’s residents." According to the Judicial Council’s latest annual judicial demographics report, the number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has slowly increased over the last 18 years. As of Dec. 31, 2025, Asian Americans made up 11.9% of judges in California, compared to 4.4% in 2006, while Pacific Islanders made up 0.2% of judges in California, compared to 0.1% in 2006.  Since taking office in 2019 through 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom made 576 judicial appointments – including 131 in 2024 – from a pool of 1,898 applicants. Of those appointments, 17.3% identify as Asian and 0.8% identify as Pacific Islander. This May, California courts and the Judicial Council of California join the nation in recognizing Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. If you are not able to view the timeline below, click here. This feature was originally published on May 2, 2024. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/care-act-behind-numbers-riverside-county-judge-magdalena-cohen The CARE Act: Behind the Numbers with Riverside County Judge Magdalena Cohennatalie.l.ston… Thu, 04/23/2026 - 09:23 Feature CARE court is a non-criminal process that authorizes certain people—such as family members or first responders—to petition a civil court for treatment and services for eligible individuals with mental illness. The following is the first of three articles exploring the perspectives of CARE court judges across California.  Passed by the California legislature in 2022, the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act creates civil court proceedings, also known as CARE court, that can provide support for certain adults with severe mental illnesses. In Riverside County, Judge Magdalena Cohen uses her experience as part of the first cohort of CARE court judges to create a welcoming courtroom and maintain full-service partnerships. “We’re doing our very best to make sure as many people as possible get connected to the services they need in hopes that we can see real change,” Judge Cohen says. How CARE Court Works The process begins when an adult files a CARE petition with a civil court. Eligible petitioners include roommates, behavioral health professionals, certain relatives, or first responders. The petition asks the court to determine if an adult with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, or bipolar I with psychotic features, is eligible for a CARE agreement or plan. That person is called the respondent.  Once a petition is filed, the court must determine if the respondent meets the narrow eligibility criteria and if a CARE agreement or plan would be the best option. Sometimes a respondent may not meet the clinical criteria needed for a CARE agreement. Other times, collaborative courts — or courts that can order specific rehabilitation services, like veterans’ court, drug court, or mental health court — may provide more appropriate care.  For eligible respondents, the court supervises the treatment, housing, or other behavioral health services they may receive through the county. Voluntary CARE agreements can help respondents recover and stabilize with autonomy. If a respondent is not able to enter into a voluntary CARE agreement, the court may order a CARE plan, which includes the same general elements and does not involve forced medication or custodial settings like jail. CARE court is unique in allowing — for the first time — certain family and community members to be able to petition a court to help their loved one. Judge Cohen finds that this pathway can help reconnect respondents to their family support, which can be beneficial for both parties. “Families may set boundaries with a loved one for their own safety,” Judge Cohen says. “But if they believe that their loved one may get the treatment or help they need, they’re more open to reengagement. Data suggests that this allows for a respondent’s longer-term stabilization and reintegration into society.”  At the Forefront of CARE Court Riverside County was one of seven counties in California to pilot CARE court in December 2023. As an entirely new case type, Judge Cohen had to prepare despite unknown variables.  “No one knew if on day one we were going to see 100 petitions or none,” Judge Cohen says. “We had to put a lot of infrastructure in place so that regardless of what that number ended up being we could move forward.”   Her court’s main goal was to reduce barriers for respondents. At the forefront of CARE court implementation, Riverside Superior Court had to address issues that weren’t applicable for other court proceedings. Some considerations included protecting the belongings or animals of unhoused respondents while they were at a court appearance or working with the county to increase their bandwidth for remote proceedings.  “Operating CARE court required a different perspective, not just for our court staff, but for our law enforcement and security serving the court,” Judge Cohen explains. “It’s required a new level of flexibility.” Judge Cohen Tries to Reduce Barriers for Respondents Now, Judge Cohen sees an average of 8 respondents a day. Proceedings are mostly informal conversations where she can see what’s going well with the respondent’s CARE agreement, or if they have unaddressed needs. The courtroom itself is small and doesn’t have a jury box. “The space works very well for CARE court,” Judge Cohen says. “Those features reduce some of the barriers and trauma responses for people that have had bad experiences in criminal court.”   Respondents start by coming to court every 30 days, with the option to decrease appearances as they feel ready. However, Judge Cohen finds that many respondents will choose to maintain a 30-day schedule, enjoying the opportunity to talk with her and get a snack from her courtroom’s wide selection.   Finding a Way Forward CARE court works closely with social workers from the Public Defender’s Office and Riverside Behavioral Health to create a full-service partnership. This means coordinating resources to ensure each respondent can achieve the goals in their CARE agreement. For example, county social workers can get respondents into emergency therapy or housing. If there are waitlists for services, the court’s case manager can act as a contact for respondents without a reliable phone number, keeping them on the list.  A CARE agreement creates scaffolding that Judge Cohen hopes will fall away as a respondent becomes more capable of maintaining their own services.  “We always try to figure out who a person was before their diagnosis,” Judge Cohen says. “Oftentimes when a person is diagnosed with a mental illness, everything in their life becomes about the diagnosis, so we’re really trying to connect them back to the things they love to do.”  When a CARE agreement is successfully completed, the respondent graduates from CARE court with a graduation plan. The plan includes the contact information for all the respondent’s providers, such as the full-service clinic, case manager, therapists, or medication providers. Their case manager also remains available.  Additionally, CARE court graduates can create a psychiatric advance directive (PAD). A PAD allows someone to indicate their wishes should they have an episode where they are unable to make decisions.  “In CARE court, we depend on patience, empathy, and a team approach,” Judge Cohen adds. “We rely on our partners’ strengths to maximize a respondent’s potential benefits.”  The Judicial Council's Role in CARE Act Implementation The Judicial Council, the administrative and policymaking body of the California courts, approved rules and forms, including a mandatory petition form, as well as a standard of judicial administration, to support the program. The council also allocated state funding for all courts to implement the CARE Act, as well as funding to the State Bar for representation of respondents by qualified legal services providers and public defenders. Additionally, the council is tasked with collecting program data from superior courts, as well as providing training and technical assistance to judges and court staff. Learn more about the CARE Act. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/care-act-behind-numbers-alameda-county-judge-sandra-bean The CARE Act: Behind the Numbers with Alameda County Judge Sandra Beannatalie.l.ston… Thu, 04/16/2026 - 10:13 Feature CARE court is a non-criminal process that authorizes certain people—such as family members or first responders—to petition a civil court for treatment and services for eligible individuals with mental illness. The following is the second of three articles exploring the perspectives of CARE court judges across California.  Passed by the California legislature in 2022, the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act creates civil court proceedings, also known as CARE court, that can provide support for certain adults with severe mental illnesses. In Alameda County, Judge Sandra Bean works closely with other public agencies to best support the people appearing in her courtroom. “You do everything you can to try and make things work,” Judge Bean says. How CARE Court Works The process begins when an adult files a CARE petition with a civil court. Eligible petitioners include roommates, behavioral health professionals, certain relatives, or first responders. The petition asks the court to determine if an adult with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, or bipolar I with psychotic features, is eligible for a CARE agreement or plan. That person is called the respondent. Once a petition is filed, the court must determine if the respondent meets the narrow eligibility criteria and if a CARE agreement or plan would be the best option. Sometimes a respondent may not meet the clinical criteria needed for a CARE agreement. Other times, collaborative courts — or courts that can order specific rehabilitation services, like veterans’ court, drug court, or mental health court — may provide more appropriate care. For eligible respondents, the court supervises the treatment, housing, or other behavioral health services they may receive through the county. As a voluntary program, CARE agreements can help respondents recover and stabilize with autonomy. While the court can order a CARE plan, which includes the same general elements and does not involve forced medication or custodial settings like jail, Alameda County only pursues agreements with respondents. “We think it’s very important for the respondent to agree," Judge Bean says. "It speaks to the whole philosophy of CARE court, which is a voluntary program." Finding Creative Solutions With over 210 CARE petitions filed as of December 2025 in Alameda County, Judge Bean must first consider whether the petition assigned to her has the required elements needed to move forward. In her experience, if a petition is dismissed, it’s usually because the respondent is unwilling to enter into a CARE agreement, is already working with behavioral health agencies, or they can’t be found. Even if Judge Bean thinks a petition won’t result in a CARE agreement, she still schedules a court date. “I’m not going to say no,” Judge Bean says. “I’m going to try to help, even if a petition doesn’t meet the criteria.” At these hearings, Judge Bean, the respondent, and Alameda County Behavioral Health discuss what other programs might be the right fit.  For respondents that are eligible for CARE agreements, Judge Bean uses creative problem solving to ensure respondents receive all their benefits. Last month, she helped launch a pilot program with her court’s Self-Help Center to help respondents with CARE agreements fill out benefit forms. “Social workers can fill out benefit forms, but it’s not really their forte,” Judge Bean says. “The Self-Help Center has great experience with filling out forms and some of the staff are lawyers, so they are very good at it." When a respondent comes to court, Judge Bean can send them to the onsite Self-Help Center the same day to apply for benefits like food assistance, supplemental security income, or general assistance. To get the pilot program started, Judge Bean asked her presiding judge if they could use some of their budget to temporarily fund a position at the Self-Help Center specifically to support CARE court users, including petitioners. “We’ve been really focused on making sure that our respondents with CARE agreements get all the benefits they’re entitled to,” Judge Bean adds. Sometimes, the solution can be as simple as getting the respondent an email address. At the Self-Help Center, the case worker from a local organization, such as Bay Area Community Services, can provide email addresses that can be used to register for benefits. Collaboration Across the State  CARE court was first implemented in Alameda County in December 2024. In the year ahead of implementation, Judge Bean and other CARE court judges prepared themselves as much as possible. They visited Orange, San Diego, and San Francisco counties — some of the first counties to pilot CARE court — to see live hearings and learn about their business processes. In addition, Alameda County Behavioral Health partnered with the Indigo Project, a mental health services consultant, to help facilitate planning meetings between their department, CARE court judges, public defenders, and county counsel. “Those meetings gave us an opportunity to get very comfortable with each other and develop some trust,” Judge Bean says. Now having presided over her own CARE court proceedings, she shares the knowledge she’s developed with others. “I never turn down requests to come and talk about the CARE Act with folks,” Judge Bean says. “We want to make sure that we turn over every rock to see if there are more people in the community who may need help.” Recently, Judge Bean and the public defender have done educational presentations about the CARE Act for the Livermore fire and police departments, the East County Bar Association, and estate and trust lawyers. As CARE court evolves, Judge Bean hopes that sharing resources and experience will continue to streamline opportunities for respondents to receive support. “There’s a lot of variation in what’s happening with respondents from day-to-day, from week-to-week,” Judge Bean says. “Every county in California is working really hard to help people.” The Judicial Council's Role in CARE Act Implementation The Judicial Council, the administrative and policymaking body of the California courts, approved rules and forms, including a mandatory petition form, as well as a standard of judicial administration, to support the program. The council also allocated state funding for all courts to implement the CARE Act, as well as funding to the State Bar for representation of respondents by qualified legal services providers and public defenders. Additionally, the council is tasked with collecting program data from superior courts, as well as providing training and technical assistance to judges and court staff. Learn more about the CARE Act. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/care-act-behind-numbers-san-joaquin-county-judge-jayne-lee The CARE Act: Behind the Numbers with San Joaquin County Judge Jayne Leenatalie.l.ston… Thu, 04/09/2026 - 15:53 Feature CARE court is a non-criminal process that authorizes certain people—such as family members or first responders—to petition a civil court for treatment and services for eligible individuals with mental illness. The following is the first of three articles exploring the perspectives of CARE court judges across California.  Passed by the California legislature in 2022, the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act creates civil court proceedings, also known as CARE court, that can provide support for certain adults with severe mental illnesses. In San Joaquin County, Judge Jayne Lee finds that human connection and patience are key tools in the success of CARE court.  “Once someone’s engaged, the results have been amazing,” Judge Lee said. She’s presided over almost all the petitions filed in San Joaquin County’s CARE court since it was first implemented there in December 2024.  How CARE Court Works  The process begins when an adult files a CARE petition with a civil court. Eligible petitioners include roommates, behavioral health professionals, certain relatives, or first responders. The petition asks the court to determine if an adult with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, or bipolar I with psychotic features, is eligible for a CARE agreement or plan. That person is called the respondent.  Once a petition is filed, the court must determine whether the respondent meets the eligibility criteria and whether a CARE agreement or plan would be the best option. Sometimes, a respondent may not meet the clinical criteria needed for a CARE agreement. Other times, collaborative courts — or courts that can order specific rehabilitation services, like veterans’ court, drug court, or mental health court — may provide more appropriate care.  “The CARE Act was designed as an upstream intervention to help people before they’re placed in a more restrictive situation, like LPS conservatorship or jail,” Judge Lee explains. For eligible respondents, the court supervises the treatment, housing, or other behavioral health services they may receive through the county. As a voluntary program, CARE agreements can help respondents recover and stabilize with autonomy. If a respondent is not able to enter into a voluntary CARE agreement, the court may order a CARE plan, which includes the same general elements and does not involve forced medication or custodial settings like jail.  “Either people are really engaged, or they’re not,” adds Judge Lee. “Once someone is really engaged, having a voluntary agreement creates an affirming space to pursue their own best interest," Judge Lee says.   Judge Lee Takes a Personal Approach Judge Lee tries to create a relationship with each respondent. If someone doesn’t follow their CARE agreement or plan, she looks at the obstacles that may be preventing them from participating. This can mean searching for someone in the respondent’s community that they trust to contact them, asking the case manager to visit the respondent more often, or even finding a different case manager who may connect better. She also tries to get her respondents into supportive housing as soon as possible, but it isn’t always immediately available.  “It’s about getting beyond survival and being able to flourish,” Judge Lee says. “It’s huge for people to be able to work again, to reconnect with their family, to learn to be a good parent.”   Judge Lee learns each respondent’s dreams for the future, what makes them happy, and what makes them fulfilled; then, she figures out how to make it possible. Some of her respondents have gotten jobs, gone back to college, or aspire to become social workers or lawyers to help other court users.  The CARE Act Process Can Take Time The process isn’t always fast or easy.  Before San Joaquin County implemented CARE court, Judge Lee was trained by therapists and took classes offered by the Judicial Council. She also spoke to judges from the seven California counties that piloted CARE court in 2023, a year before her county did. The best advice she received was to have patience and to learn to engage.  “It’s going to be a cycle,” she says. “Sometimes people might get rearrested. Sometimes people might not continue with their agreement. You can’t give up the first time someone says they’re not interested. You must be willing to be there and have your door open.”  Ultimately, Judge Lee recognizes that the CARE Act is a voluntary system. By making a respondent’s well-being a matter of the court, her goal is not to intimidate people into accepting treatment.  Instead, she views the process as an opportunity to use the court’s authority to coordinate services with public agencies. When she orders reports on why a respondent can’t find housing in a sober living environment or orders a case manager to visit them more often, those public agencies must comply. With the right resources and outreach, she hopes people will eventually find a path to recovery in her courtroom. “I think I’ve become a better judge because of CARE court. I think I’ve become a better person, too, because I’ve learned patience,” Judge Lee says. The Judicial Council's Role in CARE Act Implementation The Judicial Council, the administrative and policymaking body of the California courts, approved rules and forms, including a mandatory petition form, as well as a standard of judicial administration, to support the program. The council also allocated state funding for all courts to implement the CARE Act, as well as funding to the State Bar for representation of respondents by qualified legal services providers and public defenders. Additionally, the council is tasked with collecting program data from superior courts, as well as providing training and technical assistance to judges and court staff. Learn more about the CARE Act.