https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-five-appointments-courts-appeal-0 Commission Confirms Five Appointments to Courts of Appealnatalie.l.ston… Fri, 05/22/2026 - 10:51 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed five appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Fresno, and San Diego: Judge Stephen Goorvitch, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Two (Los Angeles) Justice Joanne Motoike, as presiding justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana)  Judge Amy Guerra, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) Judge Eran M. Bermudez, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego)  Judge Deborah C. Servino, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chef Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District, Division Two, hearing); Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District, Divisions One and Three, hearings); and Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing).  You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing.  Appointee Biographies Judge Stephen Goorvitch fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith T. Ashmann-Gerst. He has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2015. Before joining the bench, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, from 2007 to 2015. He was counsel at O’Melveny and Myers from 2003 to 2007. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2001 to 2003. He served as a staff attorney in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1998 to 2001. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Justice Joanne Motoike fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Kathleen E. O’Leary. She has served as an associate justice in the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, since 2022. She served as an Orange County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2022. Before joining the bench, she was a senior deputy public defender in Orange County from 2008 to 2013. She also worked as a trial attorney at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal from 2006 to 2008. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Amy Guerra fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Bruce Smith. She has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as the chief defense attorney at the Fresno County Alternate Defense Office from 2014 to 2018 and as an associate with the office from 2007 to 2014. She received her Juris Doctor from the San Joaquin College of Law.  Judge Eran M. Bermudez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman. She has served as a judge in the Imperial County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as a compliance resolution officer at the University of California, San Diego, from 2016 to 2018 and in private practice from 2005 to 2016. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Judge Deborah C. Servino fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Thomas M. Goethals. She has served as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2009. Before joining the bench, she served as a deputy attorney general at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1997 to 2009. Previously, she worked in private practice and as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1995 to 1997. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.   View the full photo album on the California Court's Flickr. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-help-dedicate-new-courthouse-santa-rosa California Chief Justice to Help Dedicate New Courthouse in Santa RosaCorren, Blaine Tue, 05/19/2026 - 12:40 News Release What:  California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero will join local judges and staff to officially commemorate the completion of the new Hall of Justice in Santa Rosa. The court expects to officially open the new courthouse for business this summer. Who:  The ceremony will include remarks by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Presiding Judge Christopher Honigsberg, Judge Shelley Averill, Retired Judge Gary Nadler, Court Executive Officer Robert Oliver, and Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran When:  Friday, May 29, 2026, 1:00-3:00pm (includes ceremony, followed by refreshments and courthouse tours) Where:  New Hall of Justice for Sonoma County, Jury Assembly Room, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa NOTE: The ceremony is open for the public and media to attend—email jwilcox@sonomacourt.org to RSVP. Why:  The construction project will provide a new 6-story, 15-courtroom courthouse of approximately 170,000 square feet in the city of Santa Rosa. This new facility will replace the existing court-occupied space in the Sonoma County Hall of Justice and in the attached jail or Main Adult Detention Facility (MADF) at the county administrative complex. The new building includes features and services the court was previously unable to provide due to space restrictions, such as appropriately sized jury assembly and deliberation rooms, courtroom and clerk's office, and other public waiting areas, attorney interview/witness waiting rooms, children's waiting room, area for security entrance screening (for all court users), and in-custody holding facilities. Architect:  STUDIOpractice ArchitectsConstruction Management Agency:  AECOMConstruction Manager at Risk:  Rudolph & Sletten, Inc. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 39 new courthouse projects and another 14 projects are underway and in various stages. For more information, visit the California court’s website at courts.ca.gov/facilities/sonoma-county-new-hall-justice. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/fourth-appellate-district-announces-destruction-old-court-records-21 Fourth Appellate District Announces Destruction of Old Court RecordsMartin.Novitski Fri, 05/15/2026 - 09:31 News Release San Diego—The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego) has announced its intention to destroy some of its civil records under Rule 10.1028(d) of the California Rules of Court. DIVISION ONE All civil cases (excluding those with published opinions) are preserved for at least 10 years. The records transfer list of the cases and files relating to this destruction of old court records is available on the court’s website: List Anyone who knows of a reason why any of the above cases should be retained, whether for historical or other purposes, should notify Brandon L. Henson, Clerk/Executive Officer. The reasons for retention should be in writing, should be received by the court by June 14, 2026 and should be addressed to:           Brandon L. Henson, Clerk/Executive Officer           Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District           750 B Street, Suite 300           San Diego, CA 92101 Please note that records and case files for actions that result in a published opinion will be retained permanently by the California State Archives, 1020 "O" Street, Sacramento, CA  95814.  The Reference Desk can be contacted at (916) 653-2246.  Their website is http://www.sos.ca.gov/archive https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-issues-statement-governors-may-budget-revise-2 Chief Justice Issues Statement on Governor's May Budget ReviseBalassone, Merrill Thu, 05/14/2026 - 20:26 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Thursday issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal for the judicial branch: As the state faces significant budget challenges, I appreciate Governor Newsom’s continued support of the judicial branch to protect access to justice for all. This includes increased funding for operational costs, court interpreters, and court-appointed counsel. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Administration and the Legislature to finalize the budget in the coming weeks.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/ethics-committee-issues-advice-judicial-campaign-contribution-limits Ethics Committee Issues Advice on Judicial Campaign Contribution LimitsBalassone, Merrill Thu, 05/07/2026 - 11:33 News Release A California judicial ethics committee on Thursday issued an expedited opinion addressing the ethical considerations for judges and justices who contribute to the reelection or retention campaigns of their judicial colleagues. The guidance was issued by the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO)—a body which is appointed and authorized by, but works independently of, the California Supreme Court. In CJEO Expedited Opinion 2026-055, the committee advises justices and judges to consider several factors before contributing to the judicial election campaign of a judicial colleague: For a county election, prospective contributors must determine whether a local ordinance sets applicable contribution limits, and if so, comply with those limits.  Judges and justices must also consider the timing and circumstances of their campaign contributions to avoid creating the appearance of impropriety, raising concerns of partiality, or causing frequent disqualification. “It is widely beneficial when judges and justices are reelected or retained through judicial elections, and their judicial colleagues are uniquely positioned to recognize the best among their peers. This opinion provides important guidance for the judges and justices who wish to contribute to those judicial campaigns, including potential campaign contribution limits and factors to consider regarding the timing and circumstances of prospective contributions,” said committee chair Justice Ronald B. Robie. CJEO issues expedited opinions to judicial officers who request them, following a discretionary decision by CJEO to address the ethical issues raised in an expedited process that does not include posting draft opinions for public comment (as is required for CJEO formal opinions). Expedited opinions are published in full, without identifying information regarding the requesting judicial officer, to provide guidance to the bench and the public regarding judicial ethics. About the Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) The Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions is a 12-member advisory committee that includes appellate justices, trial court judges, two retired judges, and a commissioner. The committee is appointed and authorized by the California Supreme Court, but its work is independent of the court, the Judicial Council, and all other entities. Its opinions are advisory and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Supreme Court or any other entity.  The committee issues formal, informal, and expedited advisory opinions on proper judicial conduct pursuant to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and other authorities. CJEO’s website includes advisory opinions, resources dedicated to specific judicial assignments and issues, and extensive judicial ethics tools and resource materials for the benefit of the bench and the public.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/publicservice-2026 Chief Justice, Judicial Council Honor Public Servants of California's Judicial BranchKaren.Datangel Mon, 05/04/2026 - 11:22 News Release Chief Justice of California Patricia Guerrero and the Judicial Council of California today mark their fourth annual celebration of Public Service Recognition Week. Said Chief Justice Guerrero: "As we mark the Judicial Council's one hundredth year, we honor those who built and who sustain this constitutional entity, and a judiciary that continues to evolve with the people it serves. As the third branch of government, our commitment remains firm to serve all Californians and uphold the rule of law as a cornerstone of our democracy. I am grateful to the more than 20,000 public servants across our state’s judicial branch who dedicate themselves to these principles every day." Public Service Recognition Week is celebrated annually during the first week of May to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. Videos produced by the Judicial Council highlight six of California's dedicated public servants, who speak about why they choose to serve in the judicial branch and with the council. JUDGE BUNMI AWONIYI Judge at the Sacramento Superior Court and council member:   JAYME LEE Associate analyst in the council’s Leadership Support Services office supporting various high-level projects: JAKE CHATTERS Court executive officer at the Placer Superior Court and chair of the council’s Data Analytics Advisory Committee: JAGAN SINGH Deputy director in the council's Facilities Services office, overseeing courthouse construction and modernization projects: JUDGE JUDITH DULCICH Judge at the Kern Superior Court and council member:   MARTHA WRIGHT Manager in the council's Criminal Justice Services office supporting collaborative justice courts, traffic fines and fees, and pretrial services: View all videos on YouTube, including the "We Choose to Serve..." montage. About the Judicial Council of California The Judicial Council is the policymaking body of the California courts, the largest court system in the nation. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-guerrero-announces-2026-civic-learning-award-honorees Chief Justice Guerrero Announces 2026 Civic Learning Award HonoreesMartin.Novitski Fri, 05/01/2026 - 12:05 News Release SACRAMENTO—Today, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero announced the recipients of the 2026 Civic Learning Awards, the state’s highest honor recognizing K–12 schools for outstanding achievement in civic education. “These schools show what’s possible when school administrators, teachers, and students work together to make civic engagement a core part of the educational experience,” said Chief Justice Guerrero. One elementary school, one middle school, and one high school received the Civic Learning Award of Excellence, highlighting their exceptional programs that empower students to engage meaningfully in their communities and develop lifelong civic skills. This year’s Awards of Excellence: Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary School (Sacramento, Sacramento County) South Junior High School (Anaheim, Orange County) Norwalk High School (Norwalk, Los Angeles County) The following schools were recognized with the Award of Distinction: Wittmann Elementary School (Cerritos, Los Angeles County) Rancho Viejo Middle School (Hemet, Riverside County) Pacific High School (San Bernardino, San Bernardino County) The following schools were recognized with the Award of Merit: Tarpey Elementary School (Clovis, Fresno County) Wangenheim Middle School (San Diego, San Diego County)  Yerba Buena High School (San Jose, Santa Clara County) The following schools were recognized with Awards of Honorable Mentions: Northgate High School, Contra Costa County Garfield Elementary School, Fresno County Dry Creek Elementary, Fresno County Red Bank Elementary, Fresno County Woods Elementary School, Fresno County Pantera Elementary School, Los Angeles County Mountain View Elementary School, Los Angeles County Claremont High School, Los Angeles County Loara High School, Orange County Portola High School, Orange County Cambridge Virtual Academy, Orange County Walker Junior High, Orange County Corona Ranch, Riverside County Youth Leadership Academy, Sacramento County Ida Jew Academy and Valle Vista Elementary (IJAVVE), Santa Clara County August Boeger Middle School (Community School), Santa Clara County Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep's middle and high school were honored with an emeritus award in recognition of its continued excellence in civic engagement. Launched in 2013, the award celebrates schools that make space for high‑quality civic learning and engagement. For the first time in several years, the 2026 program asked schools to submit details for how other schools could replicate their top programs. A total of 112 programs were submitted by elementary, middle, and high school educators. Judges from California courts will present the awards in person this September as part of the judicial branch’s Constitution Month commemoration. Chief Justice Guerrero will continue her tradition of visiting schools earning the top Award of Excellence. Judges from the courts of appeal and the superior courts visit honorees in their jurisdictions for the other award categories. For a complete list of the 2026 honorees, visit powerofdemocracy.org/civic-learning-award. About the Civic Learning Awards The Civic Learning Awards program is co‑sponsored by the Chief Justice of California and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The award recognizes schools that embed civic learning into schoolwide practices, including classroom instruction, student-led projects, service learning, and opportunities to take informed action. More information is available at powerofdemocracy.org/civic-learning-award. See the full album on the California Courts Flickr. See the full video playlist on the California Courts YouTube. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-patricia-guerrero-host-law-day-event-sacramento Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to Host Law Day Event in SacramentoMartin.Novitski Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:54 News Release For media interested in attending the event, contact Jackie.D'Almeida@jud.ca.gov for RSVP information. SACRAMENTO— Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero will welcome judges, educators, and students to the Third District Court of Appeal on May 1, in celebration of Law Day, a national day recognizing the rule of law and its role in our constitutional democracy. The Law Day event underscores the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to engaging young people, expanding civic knowledge, and strengthening community partnerships across California. Civic Learning Initiative The event is being organized by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative. Students from local high schools will deliver oratory pieces on this year’s Law Day theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” the initiative will release a new Rule of Law classroom lesson available to any K-12 public school that hosts a judge through the Judges in the Classroom program. In addition, the Chief Justice will announce the recipients of the initiative’s 2026 Civic Learning Awards. The program, co-sponsored by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, honors California K–12 schools for exceptional commitment to civic education. This year’s program will focus honors on replicable models that engage students in civics, service learning, and community service. The event will be livestreamed on the Power of Democracy website beginning at 2:30PM, and a recording of the event will be posted on Monday, May 3. More information about the Civic Learning Awards is available at powerofdemocracy.org/civic-learning-award. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/third-appellate-district-associate-justice-elena-j-duarte-retire Third Appellate District Associate Justice Elena J. Duarte to Retirenatalie.l.ston… Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:45 News Release California Court of Appeal Associate Justice Elena J. Duarte will retire from the Third District at the end of May after 15 years on the court and over 19 years of judicial service. “The decision to serve the public and be visible in the community for my entire career thus far has been the best decision I ever made,” said Duarte. “I look forward to the possibility of additional opportunities to serve the public in the future.” A native Californian from San Jose, Duarte turns 60 later this year and was appointed to the Court of Appeal in December 2010 by Governor Schwarzenegger. She has been the only Latina on the single division Third District bench the entire time she has served. She is also its longest-serving Latinx justice. Upon her appointment in 2010, three women served simultaneously on the 11-member court for the first time in that court’s history. Duarte sat on the first all-female panel to hear oral argument at the Third District in April 2012, and a photograph of that historic event is displayed in the court’s Memorial Vestibule just before entering the courtroom.  A three-time judicial appointee, Duarte was elevated to her position on the Court of Appeal after serving as a judge on the Sacramento Superior Court from 2008 to 2010. Before moving to Sacramento, she served as a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court. At the time of her first judicial appointment, she was Chief of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section at the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Her career as a federal litigator began upon her graduation from Stanford Law School in 1992, when she was accepted into the national Attorney General’s Honor Program and moved to Washington, D.C. as one of 12 honor graduates in the Criminal Division. She subsequently returned to California to prosecute federal cases in both Sacramento and Los Angeles. Duarte will be honored in May as Sacramento County Bar Association’s Judge of the Year and with a lifetime achievement award by the Cruz Reynoso Bar Association, named for the first Latinx judge on the Third District who was then elevated to the California Supreme Court as its first Latinx associate justice. Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie Earl wrote: “In addition to her tremendous contribution to the community, Justice Duarte is a wonderful colleague. She fully prepares for each case that is assigned to her, even those in which she is not the author. She treats litigants fairly and affords those who appear for oral argument the opportunity to be heard and the respect of preparation. She asks questions that go to the heart of the issues before us. She is a solid judge on our court, and her retirement will leave an enormous gap on our bench.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-approves-mandatory-reporting-civil-arrests-court-facilities Judicial Council Approves Mandatory Reporting of Civil Arrests in Court FacilitiesCorren, Blaine Fri, 04/24/2026 - 12:44 News Release VIA WEB CONFERENCE—Judicial Council members approved a new rule at their April 24 business meeting that requires courts to report civil arrests—such as those related to federal immigration enforcement actions—that happen in superior court facilities. The new rule aims to help the judicial branch better understand the impacts civil arrests in court facilities have on courts and access to justice and assist the branch in responding to court or community concerns. Sharif Elmallah, court executive officer for the Butte Superior Court, told council members about an incident at the Oroville courthouse where federal agents conducted a day-long enforcement operation and took several people into custody. “When people avoid court facilities out of fear, the court system cannot serve them and cannot function as intended,” said Elmallah, who also serves as co-chair of the council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee and Court Executives Advisory Committee Joint Rules Subcommittee. “That affects the victim seeking protection under the law, witnesses whose testimony may be critical for parties to present their cases, and litigants who depend on their participation.” The new rule says reports should include, if known, the location of the arrest at the court facility, the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest, whether any individuals were taken into custody, and if the arresting officer presented a judicial warrant. “The goal of rule 10.440 is data collection,” said Judge Scott R. L. Young, co-chair of the council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee and Court Executives Advisory Committee Joint Rules Subcommittee. “The Judicial Council can and should understand where, and how, civil arrest activity occurs.” The rule goes into effect May 1, and courts will start reporting the information on civil arrests in court facilities to the council in June. The council expects to start posting the information on a publicly available dashboard in July. Watch video of this agenda item Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Representation for Children and Families in Dependency Proceedings: The council approved redistributions of court-appointed juvenile dependency counsel funds for fiscal year 2025-26. The allocations promote equitable distribution of resources and support effective representation for children and families in dependency proceedings. After the initial proposal for allocating the unspent dependency counsel funding was submitted to the council, another court identified $150,000 for reallocation. A revised council report will reflect the updated amount of available unspent dependency counsel funding, which increases from $980,773 to $1,130,773. Watch video of this agenda item Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases: The council received a report from the 2025 Proposition 66 Counsel Working Group, which examined the appointment of attorneys for petitioners in capital habeas corpus proceedings in both the superior courts and the Courts of Appeal. The report provides strategies judicial branch entities could use to recruit and appoint counsel for petitioners in such proceedings, which includes advocating for appellate counsel funding and reactivating regional committees to assist superior courts in their efforts to recruit attorneys to take these cases. Watch video of this agenda item California Access to Justice Commission: The council heard a presentation from the California Access to Justice Commission on how for 30 years it has supported courts, the bar, and justice system stakeholders with research, reports, and support for the expansion of access to justice through legal services, self-help centers, navigators and small claims advisors, remote court services and proceedings, language assistance, libraries, and other community agencies and services. In addition, the council appointed Sacramento County Judge Andi Mudryk to one of the three positions on the commission appointed by the council. Watch video of this agenda item Gender Inclusivity of Juror Identification and Juror Questionnaires: The council adopted a new standard of judicial administration to ensure gender inclusivity in juror identification and juror questionnaires per Assembly Bill 1899 (2024). The council also approved changes to existing rules of court, forms, and standards to ensure language directed to jurors is gender inclusive. Report on Pretrial Programs: The council received the latest report on court pretrial programs and practices that promote safe, efficient, fair, and timely pretrial release of individuals booked into jail. The report includes data on bookings, release types, assessments conducted, the use of monitoring and supportive services, and case closure outcomes. The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center—an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available.