https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en 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. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/justice-kelli-evans-and-justice-stacy-boulware-eurie-share-perspectives-diversity-courts Justice Kelli Evans and Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie Share Perspectives on Diversity in the CourtsKaren.Datangel Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:58 Feature Justice Kelli Evans and Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie began their journeys in law as students at UC Davis at similar times, but neither expected their rise to the bench in California's appellate courts, as they first recounted in a conversation with each other during the Black History Month 2026 Closing Ceremony at the Judicial Council on Feb. 25. "As an attorney, I hoped and thought that one day I would eventually like to become a judge, so when I got appointed to the Alameda County court trial bench, I thought I had made it...and I would have happily retired there," said Justice Evans, associate justice of the California Supreme Court. "It was a surprise when I got the call from the governor saying he wanted to elevate me to the California Supreme Court." "While in law school, I dreamt of being a trial judge and when I was appointed in 2007 [to the Sacramento Superior Court], it was literally a dream come true," said Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie, associate justice of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. "There's no way I could have anticipated or predicted the current seat I hold." The two justices shared the stage to discuss insights on diversity and inclusion in the courts, access to justice, the roles of judicial officers and court staff, and other topics. Following are highlights from their conversation. On the role of jurists in honoring diversity and inclusion Justice Evans: When I think about inclusion in particular, I think what it means is making sure people feel seen and are seen, feel heard and are heard, have a shot at opportunities, and in the court system, that they feel like it really works for them. Individual judges can do things in their courtrooms that embody these values. From the bench, you can treat all litigants with respect, make sure that you're implementing procedural justice in your courtroom. You can make sure you're using inclusive and accessible language. You can make sure you're explaining your decisions clearly, particularly to the person on the losing side of the decision. You can do things at a leadership level, like advocate for policies that help promote diversity and inclusion. Another thing judges and individuals can do is community outreach and engagement. The more that our communities understand about the justice business, the better it is for our court system and the more likely we are to have diverse and inclusive court systems. If we help everyone to understand they have a stake in it, they have an opportunity to participate in a system that can and should work for everyone. Justice Boulware Eurie: We're all familiar with systemic opportunities and/or barriers for diversity and inclusion, but I also think there's an individual level of opportunity and obligation to see who's at that proverbial table. No entity or structure is perfect but I do think our branch in particular is a mirror to society. The folks that come in through courthouse doors, those folks who support the work of the trial courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court reflect and should reflect California's citizenry. On the importance of diversity of perspectives and experiences in courts Justice Evans: In the California Supreme Court, we have seven justices who are responsible for making decisions that impact all 40 million of us in California. When you have people at that table who have diverse experiences like people who have been defense attorneys, have represented civil rights litigants, worked with law enforcement their whole lives, been subjects of racial profiling, have family members who have been incarcerated, or have been career prosecutors, that's a very rich discussion and it brings voices to the table that have long been missing. When I talk about diversity, I'm not just talking about race, gender, or sexual orientation - I'm talking about life experience, geography, practice areas, income, all sorts of things. I think it's important in the trial courts if not more important at the appellate court levels. The more people with nuanced perspectives who are part of a conversation, we'll have fewer blind spot errors, and we'll have a better understanding of potential impacts on various communities. Justice Boulware Eurie: When we talk about an impartial court and fair and balanced justice, I think some of that comes from diversity of thought, not just traditional values or experiences. Are there voices that are ensuring a check on the system and as drivers of procedural justice, that it's not just one voice being heard? Is there space for different perspectives and values on how the law is interpreted? I think it looks different in a Court of Appeal or Supreme Court because it's not a single individual judge making all the decisions in a courtroom. In the trial court, those different [perspectives can come from] roles of the prosecutor or public defender, or parents' counsel, minor's counsel, and county counsel. I'm pretty proud of California's courts because I think our branch is embracing the opportunities we're talking about. I thought about language and diversity of perspectives. In juvenile court, when we're dealing with children who are removed from their homes - particularly Black families and communities - we may hear "Hey, that's my cousin." You might later figure out "That's my play cousin" and having a bench officer who understands community relationships and ties that exist beyond blood helps to inform the decision-making in about what's in the best interest of the child. This is just one example of a type of diversity of experience and the opportunity for more informed decision making when you are hearing from and learning about different experiences. On court staff Justice Evans: Our clerks are procedural guardians. Our research attorneys carry an enormously important load as first line filters for the judges and justices for what's coming in and they often go through incredibly voluminous records. There are other court staff like interpreters, reporters, and self-help attorneys. There are court administrators who are doing work that make our courts accessible to the public. Our librarians are facilitating all of our access to material that we need to do our jobs. We've got court security personnel that are protecting our litigants and jurors. Sometimes this work is done under immense time pressure and public scrutiny. We're in a system full of unsung heroes. People know about judges, but people also need to know about the essential roles in our justice system that make it possible to seek and obtain justice. I also know that the more people learn about these roles - young people in particular - the more they're interested in our work. Young people may not be interested in becoming a lawyer or a judge, but would be really interested in one of these other roles. So the more we can share that information, the better. Justice Boulware Eurie: The one role I want to highlight is IT (Information Technology). In the Sacramento Superior Court in the period during COVID, we were spreading jurors out in different courtrooms and utilizing Zoom for them to hear and participate in selection. We had one particular IT member who was running from courtroom to courtroom, standing in the back -- not just to make sure the Zoom and speakers were working, but to make sure we could all be heard clearly. He was trying to stand in the shoes of the user, hearing what was happening in that courtroom or a different courtroom so there was meaningful participation. We know remote access is something the branch is very committed to and is super important. Advice for law students and aspiring lawyers Justice Boulware Eurie: Keep an open mind. I think a lot of people attend law school and go in with this vision of what it is that they want to do and just like undergrad, it's an opportunity for exploration. There will be an opportunity to learn so many substantive areas that you may not have been familiar with. As it relates to this conversation [around diversity and inclusion], I think of the growing importance of environmental law and looking at the demographics of law schools and who participates in those programs -- often I don't see people of color. Look not only where you can participate, but who can you bring along? What other spaces, clinicals, programs, and internships might you and your peers participate in? Is it always the same folks raising their hands? Is there a way you can nudge a colleague or peer to join you in a lunchtime conversation with a professor on a topic that you might otherwise think is dry as sand? Challenge yourself by learning something new in terms of perspective, life background, and the law. Justice Evans: Do what interests you. It might not be what everyone else is doing. Find people that you think are doing things that are interesting and exciting, and reach out to them and learn more. Try lots of different things and stay flexible. There's lot of different ways to be happy in any career but especially as a lawyer. Watch Justice Evans and Justice Boulware Eurie's full conversation. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/courts-using-ai-and-cybersecurity-advances-improve-access-justice Courts Using AI and Cybersecurity Advances to Improve Access to JusticeMartin.Novitski Fri, 03/20/2026 - 12:40 Feature SAN FRANCISCO—A recent statewide technology summit convened hundreds of court professionals from around the state to talk about cybersecurity and how using artificial intelligence (AI) data can improve efficiency and benefit court users. The March 11 summit in San Francisco was the fifth of its kind hosted by the Judicial Council to bring courts together to share information and best practices on new technologies. How Advances in Artificial Intelligence Can Benefit Court Users Leaders from courts in San Diego, Orange, and Monterey counties led breakout sessions with topics ranging from understanding how AI can assist with translation and document workflows to discussions about maintaining guardrails to protect user data. In one breakout room, Judge Michael S. Groch from the San Diego Superior Court and Court Information Officer Brett Howard of the Orange Superior Court educated judicial officers and court executives on the use of AI. That session included an overview of Thomson Reuters CoCounsel, which can be used to improve judicial workflow, as well as demonstrated examples of what types of court work are safe to use with current generative AI technology. In her remarks to summit participants, California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero acknowledged that AI can benefit court users. “Whatever new needs and opportunities will arise, I’m confident we will remain committed to innovation, to collaboration, and to aligning technology with our judicial branch goals,” she said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration throughout the constantly evolving landscape of technology. “And with all of you together, we will continue to shape the future for the courts, ensuring that technology serves as a bridge to justice.” Midnote speaker, Kevin Roose, Technology Columnist for The New York Times, invited attendees to look ahead as he highlighted the rapid acceleration of AI, noting that emerging tools are making “everyone a programmer.” He also considered what comes next after Artificial Generative Intelligence (AGI), including AI constitutions, defining intent for AI agents, and navigating a future with vast numbers of highly capable machine intelligences. Cybersecurity and the Courts A second set of breakout sessions focused on the growing need for cybersecurity enhancements in court operations. Speakers from Orange, Mono, and Riverside counties, as well as the Fifth Appellate District, emphasized preemptive measures and preparation as key factors in bolstering cybersecurity to protect court users. For example, Mono Superior Court Executive Officer Lester Perpall and Riverside Superior Court Deputy Chief of Information Technology Tim Cool spoke to fellow court staff about the importance of diligence and follow-through to improving cybersecurity in the courts. “Failures don’t happen because we don’t care,” Perpall warned. “Most failures happen because we confuse appearance with execution.” In addition, Adam Dodge, attorney and founder of EndTAB (End Technology-Enabled Abuse), served as the keynote speaker of the event. He warned that new technology is actively being used internationally to defraud others in real time. “We’re putting really powerful tools in the hands of people who could never access this level of sophistication before,” he stated as he demonstrated how AI deepfakes can be used to create increasingly realistic scams using technology that is evolving every day. Retired California Supreme Court Justice Recognizes Technology Pioneers Former California Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin presented the 2026 Justice Chin Technology Innovation Award to the Los Angeles Superior Court for its CourtHelp program, an AI-powered chatbot that helps web users navigate their court’s website. The award recognizes programs and projects that have increased access to justice through new technology. This is the second award of its kind, with the first one given to Alameda Superior Court at the 2023 Technology Summit. “It gives me great relief to find all of you still interested and progressing in the area of IT,” Justice Chin remarked as he closed the ceremony. “I encourage you to continue to do that, take it back to your courts, get more people involved and interested in IT.” Los Angeles Superior Court was honored with the Justice Ming Chin Technology Innovation Award for their CourtHelp program, a virtual assistant designed to help court users navigate the court’s website. (left to right) Matt Frederick, Technology Creative Director; Christopher Choi, Deputy Court Information Officer; Romulo Reyes, Deputy Court Information Officer; Raz Salehynia, Software Engineer Manager; Honorable Sergio C. Tapia II, Presiding Judge; Justice Ming W. Chin, Supreme Court Justice (ret.); David Slayton, Court Executive Officer/Clerk of Court; Mike Baliel, Court Information Officer; Jordan Aiken, Senior IT Manager- Infrastructure; and Luis Olachea, Deputy Court Information Officer. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-judicial-center-library-exhibition-honors-impactful-women-states-legal-history California Judicial Center Library Exhibition Honors Impactful Women in State’s Legal HistoryKaren.Datangel Mon, 03/02/2026 - 15:43 Feature The California Judicial Center Library’s latest exhibition is a celebration of California women in law, including trailblazing judicial officers at all court levels. Resolute and Resilient: Celebrating 175 Years of California Women and the Law features illustrated panels and primary source materials such as photographs and artifacts celebrating California women’s contributions to the law and honoring the state’s pioneering women attorneys, judges, and justices.     The timeline of the exhibition begins in 1848 as Mexico ceded 55% of its territory to the United States. The Gold Rush in California began earlier that year and disproportionately affected Native American and Mexican women. Some of these women were the first to impact state law as litigants and activists, such as Mexican American novelist María Ruiz de Burton, who fought to defend her land holdings in Baja California and San Diego County in Mexican and U.S. courts for more than two decades. In the 1850s and 1860s, women like Mary Ellen Pleasant became known for their abolitionism and started an early civil rights movement. The exhibition then focuses on the women’s suffrage movement in California, led by Clara Shortridge Foltz and Laura de Force Gordon, who also became the state’s first women lawyers. Georgia Bullock and Annette Abbott Adams became the first women judges in the state. Many other “firsts” amongst women attorneys are also featured in the exhibition, such as Abby Abinanti, who was the first Native American woman to practice law in California and currently serves as Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribal Court.     Women of the state judiciary in the 1960s and 1970s broke both gender and race barriers, including Presiding Justice Vaino Spencer as the first African-American woman judge; Judge Frances Muñoz as the first Latina judge; and Chief Justice Rose Bird as the first woman to serve full-time on the California Supreme Court. Since Chief Justice Bird’s historic tenure, eight other women have served on the state’s highest court, including four that serve today: Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Justice Carol Corrigan, Justice Leondra Kruger, and Justice Kelli Evans. The exhibition is on display now till the end of March 2026 in the Archives Room on the first floor of the Ronald M. George State Office Complex in San Francisco. An accompanying digital exhibition booklet is also available. This article was originally published on March 14, 2025 and has been updated. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/save-trip-courthouse-contest-your-traffic-ticket-online Save a Trip to the Courthouse: Contest Your Traffic Ticket OnlineCorren, Blaine Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:00 Feature Thousands of Californians get traffic tickets every year. To contest the ticket, drivers traditionally appear before a judicial officer or submit their case in writing by mail. A new online tool expanding around the state offers a more convenient alternative, saving drivers both time and expense. Contesting Traffic Tickets Online—How it WorksThe California courts’ Online Trial By Declaration (OTBD) module on the MyCitations website allows defendants to contest eligible traffic citations by submitting a written statement and uploading evidence. After the court is notified that the defendant has chosen to challenge the ticket through OTBD, the issuing officer submits a response for the judicial officer to consider. Parties are notified by email once the judge makes a decision. Contesting a ticket by OTBD or by mail waives the right to an in-person trial before a judge. Saving Californians Time and ExpenseThe tool for contesting traffic tickets is currently available in six counties: Amador, Imperial, Nevada, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Siskiyou. Early-adopter courts report the online tool works efficiently and provides a popular option for ticket holders. “Attending court for an in-person trial on an infraction citation often carries with it a variety of expenses and inconveniences, particularly for those who must travel to court from out of county,” said Nevada County Judge Alissa Bjerkhoel, who adjudicates online trial by declarations. Nevada Court Executive Officer Laila Waheed agreed. “Providing the public with accessible, streamlined solutions to resolve their citations with the court is an important benefit to our community.” The superior courts in Nevada and San Francisco Counties were the first in California to offer the online tool. “This online option is another way the court is making it easier and less expensive for people to conduct court business without having to pay for parking, childcare, and travel to a courthouse,” said San Francisco Court Executive Officer Brandon E. Riley.  Getting the Word OutThe amount of ticket holders using the OTBD option has steadily increased. Courts promote the tool through: Amador Superior Court placed posters and flyers about the Online Trial by Declaration option for traffic tickets at its clerk's office/public counter and other areas of its courthouse. News releases Social media posts Court websites Postings/posters at the courthouse Phone and live chat assistance “We’ve added the link to our website and courtesy notices,” said Katja Morgan, the Court Operations Manager for the Criminal/Traffic Division at the Siskiyou Superior Court. “And all our court clerks advise litigants of the options for the ability to pay and the online trial by declaration options.” Expanding Online Trial by Declaration (OTBD) ToolFrom its launch in two superior courts in December 2024, and its expansion into four more courts since then, roughly 1,600 litigants made OTBD requests statewide through the end of 2025. The Sacramento Superior Court is one of the latest courts to launch the service, going live with the online traffic tool last December. “The implementation of Online Trial by Declaration reflects our commitment to expanding convenient, accessible court services,” said Brenda Allen, Director of Operations at the court’s Carol Miller Justice Center, where traffic cases are processed. “By allowing eligible traffic cases to be contested online and on a schedule that works for the public, we are reducing barriers to participation.” Two additional superior courts plan to go live by April, and up to five more courts will begin onboarding activities before the end of 2026. MyCitations SiteAvailable statewide, the California Courts MyCitations tool allows defendants with financial hardships to look up their citation, answer a series of simple questions, and submit fine reduction requests, set up payment plans, or apply for community service. In select courts, users can contest eligible traffic citations online--in addition to in person--by submitting a written statement and uploading evidence through an option on the MyCitations site. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/milestones-african-americans-california-judicial-branch Milestones for African Americans in the California Judicial BranchKaren.Datangel Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:31 Feature This February, California courts and the Judicial Council of California join the nation in recognizing Black History Month. As of Dec. 31, 2024, 9.7% of California judges identify as Black or African American, compared to 4.6% in 2006. 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." Learn more about historical milestones including landmark court cases and legislation, prominent African American citizens, and African American jurists who have impacted California history in our interactive timeline. If you are not able to view the timeline below, click here. This feature was originally published on February 5, 2024 and has been updated. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/building-safer-communities-one-young-adult-time Building Safer Communities, One Young Adult at a Timeelaine.chan Tue, 01/20/2026 - 09:20 Feature On December 18, nine individuals walked out of Department 26 in the San Francisco Hall of Justice with big smiles and heads held high. Their families and friends looked on proudly as they celebrated their remarkable achievements—graduating from the Young Adult Court (YAC) program and having their criminal records forever sealed. Judge Eric Fleming (left) hands a graduate (right) his sealed record—a moment of triumph. “One mistake does not permanently define someone—they deserve another opportunity under clear expectations and boundaries,” said Judge Eric Fleming, who presides over the San Francisco YAC program. “It’s not about judging people. What’s important about being a young adult, is learning from your mistakes so that you can exercise better judgment and grow as a person.” What Is the YAC Program? First-of-its-kind in the nation, YAC was established in August 2015 by Judge Bruce Chan to address the unique developmental needs of young adults in the justice system. Young adults with felony and misdemeanor charges may be referred to YAC by the Public Defender’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Adult Probation, or private counsel. With support from their case managers, YAC participants progress through four structured phases. On average, it takes 12–18 months for the participants to complete the program: Phase 1: Engagement and Assessment Phase 2: Stability and Accountability Phase 3: Wellness and Community Connection Phase 4: Program Transition (and graduation day) To graduate, each participant must complete a Wellness Care Plan and demonstrate their adherence to the program. One graduate wrote in his Wellness Care Plan: “Jail wasn’t the worst thing. It’s knowing that life is going on and you are frozen in time while everyone is moving on with their lives. That scared me…I just drank my life away until YAC started to teach me what the program was about, which gave me a new light to follow in my life.” “Young adults have very different needs when it comes to life, challenges, treatment, or no treatment,” said Melanie Kushnir, the director of the Collaborative Justice Programs at the San Francisco Superior Court. “YAC is a way to improve public safety by meeting young people where they are at, and seeing what they need to be successful, including education, safe housing, trauma treatment, and addressing substance use. YAC seeks to find out the right tools to address it.” Why a Special Court Specifically for Young Adults? The prefrontal cortex of the brain—responsible for cognitive processing and impulse control—does not fully develop until the age of 25. During this critical developmental stage, young adults can be vulnerable to making negative decisions, especially for those without supportive family, housing, education, employment, and other critical factors that can help them navigate this tumultuous period. The traditional justice system does not account for these developmental differences. YAC, however, offers a structured, supportive approach to help young adults address the root causes of their behavior. What Do the Numbers Say? From August 2015 to August 2025, more than 400 participants were accepted to YAC, with 197 graduating from the program. In 2024 alone, 102 justice-involved young adults completed YAC with a 50% graduation rate, and 73% remained arrest-free after graduation. Young Adult Court Spreading Nationwide The model of YAC has been adopted in Orange County in California, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and New York. Similar courts are being considered in other states, including Arizona, Minnesota, Tennessee, Hawaii, Nebraska, and Montana, with the guidance and mentorship from the San Francisco Superior Court. As the founder of the program, Judge Chan is championing YAC nationwide, advising legal leaders on its benefits. “I think our work in the criminal courts is akin to working in the emergency room of a public hospital,” said Judge Chan. “We come face to face every day with the most difficult and intractable social problems—homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic poverty, food insecurity, child abuse and neglect, to name a few. And just like in the ER, the people who come to our courts don’t want to be there in the first place. This central dilemma—how to treat the unwilling—has led us to embrace an approach that we see you, care for you, and listen to you.” Learn more about the San Francisco Young Adult Court program.