https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/sargent-shriver-program-helps-litigants-who-cant-afford-attorneys Sargent Shriver Program Helps Litigants Who Can’t Afford AttorneysCorren, Blaine Wed, 09/10/2025 - 16:18 Feature According to a recent nationwide study, 92% percent of low-income Americans reported they don’t get enough legal help on issues that have a “substantial impact” on them   During the five-year period from fiscal years 2019–20 to 2023–24. the Shriver program served 16,000 clients—85% received legal assistance in housing cases   Shriver program currently operates 14 projects in 11 counties, which help litigants with legal issues such as housing, child custody, guardianship/conservatorship, and restraining orders   Recent cuts to federal funding and grants have made a significant impact on many local assistance programs in California and around the country. Those programs include the Survivor Justice Center in Los Angeles, which provides attorneys for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The center's attorneys help their clients with restraining orders, housing, child custody, and other legal issues. “Funding cuts have been devastating,” said Carmen McDonald, the center’s executive director. “We’ve taken a 25% hit to our funding, and as a result we’ve been forced to make layoffs and offer less services.” Andrea Martinez, from Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, agrees that funding cuts threaten those who struggle to gain access to legal services.  “Every week we meet tenants on the verge of losing their homes with no one to guide them through the process. There are already more families at risk of eviction than there are attorneys to represent them, and with looming federal cuts to civil legal services, that gap will only grow.” Shriver Program Helps Meet the Need for Legal ServicesThe Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel program has helped to offset the decrease in federal funding by supporting California projects that provide legal representation and improve court services to low-income parties on critical legal issues affecting basic human needs. Shriver funding supports legal services in housing-related matters (unlawful detainer), child custody, guardianship of the person, probate conservatorship, domestic violence restraining orders, civil harassment restraining orders, and elder abuse cases. “Shriver is our largest funder and is core to supporting our family law practice,” added McDonald. “Representation matters more than ever, and Shriver has been instrumental in ensuring survivors have access to justice.” Shriver Annual Report Provides Glimpse of Legal Services RecipientsSince 2012, the Shriver program has provided legal assistance in more than 53,000 civil cases, benefiting nearly 150,000 household members across California. The most recent report on the Shriver program describes its services and their impact over a period of five years (from fiscal years 2019–20 to 2023–24). That reporting period included the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed unprecedented stress on low-income Californians and increased their need for legal services, including housing issues. The report showed that: About 2 out of 3 Shriver housing clients had an income that placed them in the “severe rent-burdened” category, paying more than 50% of their income in rent   Almost 75% of housing clients did not live in subsidized housing and paid market value in rent   The Shriver program served 16,000 clients in the reporting period—85% received representation or unbundled legal services in housing cases “Shriver was already a critical service provider in the region, even with multiple coalitions working alongside us,” added Martinez. “Now, as those programs face collapse, Shriver may become the only safety net keeping Los Angeles County in this fight. Looking ahead, as we brace for deeper cuts and compounding crises, continued investment in Shriver funding will be vital to preserving access to justice for low-income tenants and ensuring that entire communities are not left to face eviction alone.” Positive Impacts of Legal Services In eviction cases, tenants typically have just five days to respond to an eviction complaint or risk losing their home by default. During the study period for the report, Shriver clients saw almost no defaults—85% of cases were settled or dismissed before trial. Representation also led to better settlements, often helping tenants secure time to relocate or obtain alternative housing if necessary. Shriver attorneys can also help to ensure clients gain important settlement terms to prevent economic hardship, including records being sealed, information not reported to credit agencies, and an adjustment of their move-out date. In child custody cases, which are complex and require significant attorney time, families represented by Shriver attorneys were less likely to return to court after two years than those who were unrepresented, indicating greater stability and fewer drawn-out disputes. And in restraining order cases, Shriver project attorneys helped clients obtain final restraining orders in 80% of cases. “It’s important to build court partnerships and "show the math" through the evaluations,” said Salena Copeland, executive director for the Legal Aid Association of California. “By highlighting the results, we can show what happens when you change court processes and provide legal help.” Court Self-Help Centers Offer Guidance for Litigants Without Access to Attorneys In addition to giving litigants access to attorneys, the Shriver program also helps forge partnerships between legal aid organizations and local superior courts to provide unrepresented litigants with self-help and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. Shriver-funded self-help services extend the program’s reach by improving access for all litigants, regardless of role or income; strengthening court–legal services partnerships; and supporting those who don’t need full legal representation. While service models vary, the core benefit is consistent: unrepresented litigants are provided with critical information and assistance, and courts see fewer errors, improving efficiency. For example, in guardianship and conservatorship cases, many litigants exceed the income thresholds for legal services but still cannot navigate probate court alone. Shriver-funded probate facilitators bridge this gap with self-help services that help people file petitions and complete the complex paperwork, ensuring access to justice even without a lawyer. Self-Help Center Customers Give Service High Marks To evaluate the impact of self-help services, providers asked users to complete a brief post-visit survey. Results included: Housing Law: 146 survey respondents 96% of tenants satisfied 100% of landlords satisfied Client comment: “They gave me confidence to handle the landlord, so I did not feel afraid of the situation. Every time I called with a question, they helped me.” Family Law 55 respondents 98% satisfied Client comment: “I am so grateful for the program. I don’t know how I would have ever been able to get my legal affairs organized without it.” Probate Law 24 respondents 87% satisfied Client comment: “[The provider] made this overwhelming task a lot easier for [me]. I am so thankful for their help! Judicial Council’s Shriver Implementation CommitteeThe council’s Shriver Civil Counsel Act Implementation Committee makes recommendations on the selection and funding of projects that provide legal representation to low-income parties in civil matters involving critical issues affecting basic human needs. Projects are operated by qualified legal services organizations, in partnership with their local superior courts. The committee also provides input into evaluation of the pilot projects, which is reported to the Legislature every five years. More information on Shriver Civil Counsel Act program https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/los-angeles-court-staff-assist-court-users-affected-wildfires Los Angeles Court Staff Assist Court Users Affected by WildfiresKaren.Datangel Tue, 02/25/2025 - 13:27 Feature As residents of Los Angeles County continue to recover from the wildfires in the region, staff from the superior court are linking up with other agencies to make self-help services more accessible to those impacted. Since Jan. 14, staff from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s self-help centers have assisted residents on site at local disaster recovery centers at UCLA Research Park West and Altadena. The centers are supported by FEMA and mark a collaboration between various local and state agencies and federal partners, including the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles. There are currently about 65 agencies represented at the sites. “These disaster recovery centers have been really integral in terms of allowing people to access multiple services all at once,” said Janice Shurlow, a deputy managing attorney for the court’s self-help centers in the central and eastern regions of Los Angeles County. Court Staff Provide Legal Information, Not Counsel The court's self-help staff don't represent litigants or act as their attorneys, but rather provide legal information and referrals on housing, family law, probate, and other court matters. They’ve even been able to assist with electronically transmitting documents to court users, like divorce papers and name change decrees. “We recently helped someone who had to evacuate their elderly mother,” said K.C. Thomas, a principal attorney supervising three self-help centers in the court’s northern region. “The house burned down and then the mom recently passed away, and now this woman is left to be the successor of the trust. She wasn’t sure what to do and where to go, so we were able to give her referrals to our other legal aid partners and our lawyer referral services. This is information that we usually have at our different centers, so we have all of that here.” Some residents will visit the court’s table to ask about jury service or making remote appearances at proceedings. “We get people coming in because they received their summons, but it got burned in the fire,” continued Thomas. “Our jury service line is generally automated, but they can talk with a live person to let the court know they’ve been affected by the wildfires and can request to postpone jury duty.” As of Feb. 19, the court had helped 258 court users at the UCLA Research Park West location and 312 court users at the Altadena location. Some visit the court’s table once while others come by repeatedly, as they feel eager to connect with somebody. “Sometimes I’ll be looking something up for someone and they’ll just tell me what’s been happening, why they’re here, and all the different changes that have happened in their life so drastically,” said Thomas. “They just want to have someone listen to them.” Court's JusticeCorps Volunteers Also Helping Out At least two self-help center staff volunteer at the disaster recovery centers every day. The court also deploys local JusticeCorps members to the sites. The statewide JusticeCorps program trains recent college graduates and undergraduates to provide service and neutral assistance (not legal advice) to self-represented litigants who come to court self-help centers in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. “The staff that have gone to these sites and are there on the frontlines, talking to people who have been through so much devastation, have found this work so meaningful,” added Shurlow. The Los Angeles County disaster recovery centers are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The centers are expected to remain open until sometime in March. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/justicecorps-members-join-community-service-efforts-honor-martin-luther-king-jr JusticeCorps Members Join Community Service Efforts in Honor of Martin Luther King Jr.Karen.Datangel Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:14 Feature Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also known as a Day of Service, where everyday citizens choose to volunteer and contribute to the betterment of society. One service-oriented group working in California courts used this year's celebration to serve outside of their courthouses. What is JusticeCorps? The statewide JusticeCorps program trains recent college graduates and undergraduates to provide service and neutral assistance (not legal advice) to self-represented litigants who come to court self-help centers in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. Serving under the supervision of attorneys, JusticeCorps members help litigants navigate the court system and keep their legal matters moving forward. JusticeCorps members joined thousands of other AmeriCorps members across the country, engaging in community projects as part of AmeriCorps’ Day of National Service honoring Dr. King. AmeriCorps has been leading this effort for 30 years. JusticeCorps San Diego Teaches Young Students About Dr. King's Impact JusticeCorps in San Diego continued a yearly partnership with UC San Diego's Changemaker Institute to provide a classroom lesson and art activities about Martin Luther King Jr. to John Muir Language Academy, a UTK-8 Spanish immersion magnet school. About 15 JusticeCorps members encouraged students to write about their dreams in the spirit of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Members and other volunteers also helped tend to the school's community garden. "This service experience was really important to me because it was a way to connect with my community and contribute to something bigger than myself," said Anna McCloskey, a JusticeCorps San Diego member. "I was able to make a positive impact and remind myself that meaningful change starts with community service. It was such an incredibly meaningful opportunity to guide the students through creative activities that deepened their understanding of MLK's impact and inspired them to think about their own dreams." In addition to the Martin Luther King Jr. day of service, San Diego JusticeCorps members volunteer at the San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition in February and at a service day on Cesar Chavez Day coordinated by California State University San Marcos. JusticeCorps Bay Area Beautifies Community Gardens In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the JusticeCorps Bay Area cohort partnered with Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt and Service for Peace and the City of Oakland to tend to The Gardens at Lake Merritt. The seven-acre collection of themed gardens once served as a source of great regional pride, a cultural and educational center, and place to enjoy tranquility in the heart of Oakland. "The nature around us all nurtured deep and meaningful conversations making it a day of unity and joy," said Angelica Flores Valdivia, a JusticeCorps Bay Area member about her volunteering experience. "It truly stands amongst one of the most special days of my service thus far." JusticeCorps continued their decade-long partnership with The Friends of the Gardens in the gardens' ongoing renewal project, assisting with sheet mulching, native grass planting, beach cleanup, tree planting, weeding, and other tasks. More than 70 JusticeCorps members and their guests were part of the 250 community volunteers who participated in this Day of Service project in Alameda County. JusticeCorps Los Angeles Provides Multiple Options to ServeMembers in the Los Angeles area had the opportunity to serve in a variety of forums. Many members were impacted by the Southern California wildfires, and those remaining in the immediate area participated in JusticeCorps' long-standing collaboration with LA Works at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Originally designed as a food scarcity event, this year's event pivoted to focus on wildfire recovery efforts. Members served as event crew to check in volunteers and teams who organized service activities, including blanket making and creating hygiene kits for families affected by the fires. Members in the South Bay area served at the White Point Nature Reserve, removing invasive weeds and planting native plants to support the natural environment of Southern California.   More About the JusticeCorps ProgramThe California JusticeCorps program is a collaboration between the Judicial Council, California superior courts, and legal aid and campus partners. JusticeCorps members either serve a 300-hour or 1,700-hour AmeriCorps term of service. Members who serve 300 hours are considered Legal Access Interns and are enrolled at a partner campus. Their hours are completed over the course of one academic year. Members who serve 1,700 hours are Graduate Fellows, full-time AmeriCorps members that complete their service over 12 months. All JusticeCorps members must participate in one community service project during their year of AmeriCorps service with the court. In addition to working directly with litigants and attorneys, JusticeCorps members can benefit from a variety of professional development opportunities, such as resume workshops and financial literacy sessions. Applications for the 2025-2026 JusticeCorps service year are open now. See the JusticeCorps page for regional deadlines. JusticeCorps is a proud grantee of AmeriCorps and California Volunteers, Office of the Governor. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/2024-year-review-judicial-council-california 2024 Year in Review: Judicial Council of CaliforniaCorren, Blaine Tue, 12/17/2024 - 15:52 Feature In 2024, California’s Chief Justice, the Judicial Council, and the courts continued their efforts to improve court operations, enhance services, and expand access to the justice system for the public. The following are highlights of those efforts: Chief Justice Delivers 2024 State of the Judiciary AddressChief Justice Patricia Guerrero delivered her annual State of the Judiciary address to the California Legislature. In her remarks, she emphasized her goals for the judicial branch, which include accountability in the use of public resources, efficient caseflow management, and safeguarding the integrity of the court and judicial decision-making. She also affirmed the judicial branch’s commitment to enhancing access to justice for the people of California. Using technology as an example, she explained how the courts are helping to increase access through remote services and tools—including 24/7 e-filing, access to online records and research, self-help resources, and remote appearances. A recent Judicial Council report showed that approximately 150,000 remote civil proceedings are conducted statewide each month; and more than 90% of court users and 98% of court staff reported positive experiences.   Online Tool to Request Reductions to Traffic Tickets Goes StatewideThe MyCitations online tool allows low-income individuals with infraction violations to request a reduction in their fines and fees without going to the courthouse. Users can also request a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service. Launched in the first court in April 2019, the MyCitations tool was successfully implemented in all 58 counties before July 1, 2024. Since its launch, more than 183,000 litigants have submitted requests to reduce their fines, resulting in more than $65 million in reductions. Adding to the MyCitations tool’s functionality, a new Online Trial by Declaration module allows a defendant to contest eligible traffic citations by submitting a written statement and uploading evidence online.   Filling the Justice Gap: Expanding Services for People Without AttorneysThe statewide Pathways to Justice conference brought together members of the legal community to highlight services and tools to help court users in civil cases who can’t afford attorneys. Cosponsored by the Judicial Council of California, the State Bar of California, and the Legal Aid Association of California, conference attendees included nonprofit legal services providers, private bar pro bono volunteers, and staff from court departments and self-help centers. The conference highlighted a broad range of strategies used to expand access to the legal system, including technology, AI, childcare, pro bono work, lawyer referral services, and language access. It also offered training in areas like housing, family law, and domestic violence, in which parties are often without attorneys.   California Courts Launch CARE Act StatewideThis year all 58 trial courts in California began accepting petitions under the CARE Act, which authorizes specified people to petition a civil court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan that can include treatment, housing support, and other services for persons with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Per the CARE Act statute, implementation started in October 2023, with seven counties (Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, Tuolumne), and Los Angeles County followed two months later. The remaining 50 counties met the legislative deadline for accepting petitions by Dec. 2, 2024. Since the CARE Act took effect, the council has supported the rollout by: Creating new court rules and forms, as well as fact sheets, webinars, and videos to educate courts and the public about the CARE Act process   Meeting with courts and county stakeholders—including monthly office hours—to gauge progress, identify challenges, and provide technical assistance   Helping translate court documents and videos into other languages, including Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog, and Farsi   Collecting data on the program’s implementation, which it reports quarterly to the California Department of Health Care Services Statewide CARE Act data has shown the number of petitions filed each month has been relatively steady since its launch in the early implementing counties—with a total of 869 petitions filed from Oct. 1, 2023, through Oct. 31, 2024. During that same time, courts ordered more than 175 care agreements and plans, and 516 petitions were still being actively engaged.   Pilot Program to Address Court Interpreters ShortageA retiring workforce, geographic constraints, and testing capacity are making it difficult for courts to meet the demand for interpreting. To address the shortage of interpreters, the state’s judicial branch launched a five-year pilot program to hire more court interpreter employees, dedicating $6.8 million in funding made available from the 2023 Budget Act. The Court Interpreter Workforce Pilot Program reimburses participants for costs associated with their training, coursework, and up to three examination fees. Program graduates must also agree to work for the courts for at least three years after passing all the required exams and enroll with the Judicial Council as a court interpreter. Twenty superior courts are participating in the first cohort of the program and collectively received more than 1,000 applications. Each court may have up to 10 candidates per year. Applications for cohort 2 will open in spring 2025.   Courts Continue to Improve the Juror ExperienceRecognizing the integral role jurors play in our justice system, following are some recent judicial branch initiatives to improve jury service in California: Pilot program in seven trial courts to improve juror diversity and participation by increasing juror pay from $15 a day to $100 per day and the mileage reimbursement from $0.34 to $0.67 per mile roundtrip—the pilot will end by early 2026 or when the funding is exhausted, whichever comes first   Pilot project in Stanislaus County to test the feasibility of paying jurors electronically via Zelle to shorten the time for jurors to get paid at the conclusion of their service and reduce administrative costs for the court—the council’s Court Executives Advisory Committee will review the pilot findings and consider a statewide rollout   Continuing to increase the use of telephone standby and on-call options for jury service, where individuals can check the night, and sometimes the week before, whether they will be asked to come to court in person   Providing jurors brochures with mental health information and strategies to cope with any service-related stress they may experience In addition, the council recently approved simplifying the language used for the oaths administered to jurors and prospective jurors to ensure they fully understand the oaths before voir dire and prior to being seated for a jury trial.   Thousands of Volunteers Advocate for Children in CourtThe council approved $2.713 million in grants to help fund 45 CASA programs that help support children when they must move to new homes for their own protection. During this time of transition, judicial officers can appoint them a CASA (court appointed special advocate), a trained volunteer that advocates for children in juvenile court. CASA volunteers spend time with the child, monitor their needs, and provide child-focused recommendations on services and education based on the best interests of the child. Unlike other mentoring programs, CASAs serve as an officer of the court, trained on topics such as the impact of trauma on children, cultural competency, and dependency laws. More than 7,000 CASA volunteers serve approximately 11,000 children, donating 400,000 hours per year to help children, judges, and other professionals in the state’s juvenile courts. Despite this enormous impact, more CASAs are needed for the roughly 70,000 children in foster care.   25th Anniversary of Court Adoption and Permanency MonthMore than two decades of collaborative efforts among the Judicial Council, the superior courts, and partners in child welfare has achieved positive progress in improving adoption and permanency in California. Comparing data from 1999 and 2023, the number of children entering foster care for the first time decreased by 51%, and the number of children living apart from their families decreased by 58%. In addition, the council approved new court forms to simplify, clarify, and provide additional guidance for parents during the adoption process. The revised “How to Adopt a Child in California” form now clarifies the necessary steps to finalize distinct types of adoptions, including adoptions of children of Native American ancestry. The council also approved a new form specifically designed for stepparent adoptions. Court self-help center staff identified stepparent adoptions as the most common types for which they provide assistance and the ones having the most confusing processes for self-represented litigants.   New Courthouses Improve Safety, Service for Court UsersThe judicial branch completed new courthouses in Menifee (Riverside County) and Redding (Shasta County). The new buildings address overcrowding, security, and accessibility issues, and help consolidate and improve court services for their communities. Since assuming responsibility for court construction in 2002, the council has completed 35 new courthouses, and another 16 are underway in various stages. These include new court facilities in both large and small counties, as well as urban and rural areas across the state. California Improving Courthouse SustainabilitySustainability efforts employed at courthouses across the state continue to use green energy, reduce emissions, and improve waste management. The judicial branch has already achieved either gold or silver LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for 21 courthouses across the state and has seven more certifications in progress. LEED certification is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance “green” buildings. Those “green” strategies include water conservation, solar panels, EV (electric vehicle) charger stations, and setting sustainability standards for courthouse construction. The latest California Trial Court Facilities Standards approved in September of this year target a 12% increase in water conservation and a 15% increase in energy efficiency—or more if budgets allow—for future new courthouse projects. Additional long-term goals include electrifying heating systems and increasing the use of renewable energy.   Chief Justice Creates Task Force on Use of Generative AI in the California CourtsThe judicial branch launched a new judicial branch task force to evaluate generative artificial intelligence (AI) for its potential benefits to courts and court users while mitigating risks to safeguard the public. Earlier this year, Chief Justice Guerrero asked Justice Mary Greenwood and Judge Arturo Castro to help identify the foundational questions the California court system must consider regarding the appropriate uses of AI. In response to their report, Chief Justice Guerrero announced the following next steps for the judicial branch: Create an AI task force to oversee the consideration and development of branch actions that address generative AI, such as rules of court, technology policies, educational programs, and legislative proposals   Work with Supreme Court ethics committees to develop guidance on how judicial officers should navigate ethical issues associated with generative AI   Provide education for judicial officers, court professionals, and council staff that focuses on the uses, benefits, and risks of generative AI   Cybersecurity for the Courts The judicial branch made strides in safeguarding the courts and their personnel against cyber threats. A key focus was education, highlighted by a series of interactive cybersecurity webinars that equipped judicial officers and judicial branch staff with critical knowledge to protect both institutional and personal digital assets. Topics included recognizing phishing attempts, securing devices, and mitigating risks. To reinforce these efforts, the branch conducted phishing exercises throughout the year, enabling staff to practice identifying and responding to simulated threats in real time. These exercises not only improved awareness but also strengthened the branch's overall defense mechanisms against cyberattacks. Additionally, the courts bolstered cybersecurity by expanding endpoint protection, ensuring devices are better equipped to detect, prevent, and respond to threats. Reduction to Court Budgets Impacts Service to the Public In addition to a $97 million reduction to the trial courts, the fiscal year 2024-25 state budget also called for a commensurate reduction of 7.95% to the state-level judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, Habeas Corpus Resource Center, and the Judicial Council. To help manage the reductions, many of the state's trial courts froze hiring, adopted furloughs, and reduced hours at their clerks’ offices and public counters. Despite the cutbacks, the courts are making every effort to minimize delays and preserve public access to justice. The Judicial Council also implemented proactive cost-saving measures, such as hiring freezes, reduced travel, and shifting meetings online. Court leaders continued outreach to their local legislators to educate them on the work of the courts, and to communicate the operational impacts the budget cuts are having on court services to the public.   California Continues Work to Diversify the BenchThe council surveys California justices and judges at the end of each year to get a snapshot of the demographics of the California bench—including gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. For the 18th straight year since tracking this data, the number of women and people of color on the bench has increased. Female judicial officers now constitute 41% of our judges. The number of Asian, Black, and Hispanic judges has doubled during that same time. Supporting the goal of “Access, Fairness, Diversity, and Inclusion,” the council’s diversity initiatives also include the Judicial Mentor Program, a statewide undertaking between the executive and judicial branches to develop and recruit qualified and diverse judicial applicants for the state’s appellate and superior courts. The appellate and superior courts have also started their own local mentor programs. The council also created an online toolkit called Pathways to Judicial Diversity. The toolkit has resources designed to help judges and courts reach out to diverse law students and attorneys and encourage them to pursue judicial careers.   Judicial Branch Continues to Expand Civic LearningThe Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative continued to expand its reach into more California’s schools. The initiative’s Civic Learning Awards program encourages K-12 public schools to share how they promote opportunities for students inside the classroom and in their communities. The program has presented the Civic Learning Award 540 times to 343 schools in the last decade—21 elementary, middle, and high schools across California were recognized in 2024. Schools at the highest level, Award of Excellence, traditionally receive a visit from California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, while judges from other courts present the awards of Distinction, Merit, and Honorable Mention.  The initiative’s Judges in the Classroom program enables teachers to invite judges to visit their classrooms (either in-person or virtual) and engage their classes in lessons on the U.S. Constitution, Rule of Law, Voting Rights, or Historical Milestones in the making of our democracy. In 2024, the Judges in the Classroom program engaged 30% more courts and schools than it did last year. Currently, 353 volunteer judges representing 32 counties around the state support the initiative. Last school year alone, the program reached more than 13,000 students.   Judicial Branch Honors Individuals for Outstanding Service The Judicial Council honored three recipients with its 2024 Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. This year’s recipients—Justice William W. Bedsworth, Judge Terry B. Friedman (Ret.), and Court Executive Officer Melissa Fowler-Bradley—were honored for their work related to advocating for civility within the legal profession, improving the court system for families and children, and leading court-based innovations to better serve the public. Watch these videos to learn about all of this year's award recipients. Chief Justice Guerrero and the Judicial Council also honored the thousands of additional public servants of California's judicial branch the first week of May during Public Service Recognition Week. This video below, produced by the council, highlights six of California's dedicated public servants, who speak about why they choose to serve in the judicial branch. Overview of Judicial Council Programs and Services Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the Judicial Council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. The council carries out this mission through the work of its advisory bodies and staff that help develop and implement the policies and solutions to the issues confronting the California court system. The council also provides direct programs and services in multiple areas to ensure the courts can maintain meaningful access to the justice system for the public. Examples of just some of those service areas include: Budget, accounting, procurement, and audits—including management, distribution, and reporting on billions of dollars in court funding each year   Human resources—including HR and payroll administration for the nearly 3,000 state justices, judges, and appellate court and judicial branch employees   Information technology—including oversight for the California Courts public website, which averages 75,000 visitors per month   Education and training for judges and court staff—including more than 150 courses, webinars, videos, and podcasts per year   Courthouse construction, management, and emergency planning and security—including management of approximately 450 court facilities encompassing more than 19.8 million square feet, and annually completing more than 1,700 facility modification projects and addressing roughly 115,000 building service work orders   Legal services—including the annual development of hundreds of new and amended court rules and forms, and providing counsel on thousands of legal matters and agreements for the courts each year   Legislative advocacy—including the annual tracking of nearly 1,000 bills and the submission of approximately 50 position letters   Public affairs—including answering more than 2,000 inquiries for information from media and the public each year More information on the Judicial Council ____________________________________________________________________ Stay connected in 2025 by subscribing to the California Courts Newsroom and Twitter/X feed. (See bottom of this page for links) https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/filling-justice-gap-expanding-services-people-without-attorneys Filling the Justice Gap: Expanding Services for People Without AttorneysCorren, Blaine Tue, 11/12/2024 - 17:20 Feature The Justice Gap = the distance between the need for civil legal assistance among low-income Americans and the resources available to meet that need. A national leader in the effort to close this gap, Rachel Rossi recalled a mother she once volunteered to defend for selling goods on the street to provide for her family. “The Justice Gap is not just a number, it’s a person.” Rossi also stressed the efforts to provide legal services to those who need it must be a collaborative effort. Statewide Conference Convenes Wide Range of Legal Assistance ProvidersCurrently serving as the Director of the Office for Access to Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice, Rossi was the plenary speaker at this year’s Pathways to Justice conference held Oct 28-30 in San Francisco. Cosponsored by the Judicial Council of California, the State Bar of California, and the Legal Aid Association of California, the conference brought together 350 attendees, which included nonprofit legal services providers, private bar pro bono volunteers, and staff from court departments and self-help centers. Speaking about the success of the event, Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran said, “Turnout for this first Pathways event since the pandemic attests to the burgeoning multidisciplinary interest in closing the Justice Gap and showcases opportunities for innovation and new partnerships among service providers.” Conference attendees were thought leaders and practitioners from California focused on how the legal community can improve services for people who face challenges accessing the court system. “The Pathways to Justice Conference demonstrates the power of collective action to fulfill our promise of increasing access to justice for all Californians,” said Leah Wilson, executive director for the State Bar of California. “By bringing together leaders from legal services, pro bono, and community-based organizations, we are building the partnerships and coordination needed for meaningful change.” “In our community, connection is key,” added Salena Copeland, executive director for the Legal Aid Association of California. “Civil legal aid providers work throughout the state helping clients from different communities who may be facing the same challenges. Creating the space for advocates to share with and learn from each other is necessary.” Conference Provides Venue for Sharing Best PracticesThe conference highlighted a broad range of strategies related to expanding access to the legal system, including technology, AI, childcare, pro bono work, lawyer referral services, and language access. It also offered training for courts and legal service providers in areas like housing, family law, and domestic violence, in which parties are often without attorneys. Judicial Council Supports Increasing Access to Justice The Judicial Council of California is the policymaking body of the California courts and is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. To fulfill its mission, the council supports efforts to increase access to the court system through judicial branch programs, resources, and information. In addition, the council’s Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness makes recommendations for improving access to the judicial system and court services for self-represented parties. The committee also recommends proposals for the education and training of judicial officers and court staff in these areas. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/court-self-help-centers-offer-person-remote-assistance-californians-amid-pandemic Court Self-Help Centers Offer In-Person, Remote Assistance to Californians Amid PandemicKayla.Galloway Tue, 04/06/2021 - 16:38 Feature As Californians navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, free legal aid provided by courthouse self-help centers across the state remained accessible thanks to advancements in remote technology made prior to March 2020.  A report to the Legislature prepared by the Judicial Council in January analyzes the impact of self-help centers and how an influx in funding helped Californians access critical resources and information during the pandemic. Critical services provided by these centers were, in large part, uninterrupted due to an additional $19.1  million provided in the Budget Act of 2018 to expand self-help services. The expanded funding is also included in this year's budget proposal. Services provided by self-help centers aim to help Californians without legal representation navigate the court system. Though the centers do not offer legal advice, staff can explain legal processes and help court users correctly fill out and file required forms and other legal paperwork. Remote Services & COVID-19 Following the governor’s emergency COVID-19 order on March 4, 2020, courthouses faced closure and staff began drafting emergency protocol. During that time, 33 centers in courthouses in 58 counties were able to stay open or offer remote assistance within one week of the declaration, according to the January report. "One day after the Judicial Council received the governor’s emergency authority, we acted to approve temporary emergency measures to continue essential court services while protecting the health and safety of our court family, all court users, and to encourage the greater use of technology for remote proceedings and operations for as many types of court transactions as we could," said Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. By the end of June 2020, all centers offered remote services, while nearly half were able to accommodate in-person visits. Court users were also able to access services via the phone, online chat and videoconference. Remote services allowed self-help centers to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and, after only three months, return to serving nearly the same number of customers per month that they had been serving in the month before the shutdown. -- Bonnie Hough, principal managing attorney for the Center for Families, Children and the Courts Language Expansion & Impact Within the first two years following the 2018 funding expansion, California’s self-help centers doubled attorney and professional staff, 46% of whom spoke a second language. The courts also added 14 self-help centers, bringing the statewide total to 135. Of that total, 18 centers added Spanish-language services or expanded existing language resources. Overall, California’s self-help centers helped more than one million court users in 2019 alone. Staff were also able to help Californians in nearly 180 languages and dialects, the data showed. In addition to the positive impact on members of the public, self-help centers have also benefitted judges and had a substantial effect on court operations. “Self-help centers ensure that the legal paperwork is legible, accurate, and complete, and help ensure that litigants address the issues that the judge will be looking for,” Hough said. Looking Ahead  A pilot program for self-help centers in California first began in the 1990s and has grown in the years since, eventually expanding services to every California court. In the future, the courts look to expand remote legal assistance as a basic service, rather than something used in times of crisis like the pandemic. "Our courts’ desire and need to innovate—combined with our judicial branch technology planning, and funding support from our sister branches of government—has delivered a variety of enhanced services and options to court users and their justice system," said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye. Read the “Impact of Self-Help Center Expansion in California Courts” report in full, click here.