https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/data-shows-success-yolo-superior-courts-pretrial-services-program Data Shows Success of Yolo Superior Court’s Pretrial Services ProgramCorren, Blaine Tue, 05/12/2026 - 15:00 Feature In Yolo County: More than 95% of monitored individuals appeared for their arraignment hearing   More than 90% of monitored individuals appeared at a subsequent court hearing   Less than 3% of monitored individuals committed a new offense, while less than 1% committed a new violent offense A newly released statewide report on pretrial services programs highlights the success that Yolo County is having in ensuring arrested individuals released before trial avoid rearrest and appear for their court proceedings. Pretrial services programs aim to increase the safe and efficient release of arrested individuals before trial, using the least restrictive monitoring practices possible while still protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances. Yolo Court Collects Additional Data on Pretrial Services Program OutcomesReleased in April, the statewide report representing California’s 58 superior courts includes data on arrest bookings, types of pretrial release, assessments conducted, and the use of monitoring and supportive services. But the Yolo Superior Court collected additional program data on their arrested individuals released before trial, including if they failed to appear for their arraignments or at subsequent court hearings. The court also tracked if arrested individuals released before trial committed a new offense, and if so, if it was a violent offense. Image In the Yolo court from July 2024 through June 2025: More than 95% of monitored individuals appeared for their arraignment hearing   More than 90% of monitored individuals appeared at a subsequent court hearing   Less than 3% of monitored individuals committed a new offense, while less than 1% percent committed a new violent offense Yolo Court Works Closely with County PartnersThe Yolo court credits much of its success in decreasing failure to appear and rearrest rates to effective collaboration with its county justice partners. For example, probation provides services such as mental health referrals and performance tracking. “We met regularly with pretrial partners to address operational needs and refine procedures during development and early implementation of the program,” said Rocio Richter, a Senior Court Analyst with the Yolo Superior Court. “Now that the program is well established, we no longer hold standing meetings, but communication remains open and ongoing. We connect as needed, particularly when there are upcoming program changes, questions or concerns that arise.” Court Uses Technology to Stay Connected with Monitored Individuals Another key element to the Yolo court’s success includes upgraded audio/visual and videoconfencing systems. The court installed three cameras in each courtroom (for the judge, witness, and counsel tables/lecterns) and a system that supports three camera views and presentation based on active microphones and streaming capabilities “By upgrading the AV systems, the court improved user participation in hybrid courtroom proceedings whether appearing in person or remotely,” adds Richter. “Regardless of the location, parties on a case can see and be seen by all others involved, present evidence, and see evidence presented by others.  The upgrade resulted in increased access and reduced interruptions.” In addition to the success of the Yolo court's program, the report also highlighted best practices from other courts' pretrial programs. The court also implemented a text notification system to help reduce failures to appear. Monitored individuals have the option to receive text notifications of court dates, continuances, or cancellations through smartphone devices.  As part of the pretrial services program, county probation helps them register for text notifications as part of their release. Judicial Council Support for Pretrial Services ProgramsIn addition to statewide reporting, the Judicial Council supports courts’ pretrial services programs through disbursement and oversight of state funding; pretrial education and training for the courts and justice partners; and ongoing communication and program guidance, technical assistance, and site visits. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-high-school-students-compete-become-2025-state-mock-trial-championship-team California High School Students Compete to Become 2025 State Mock Trial Championship TeamKaren.Datangel Tue, 03/11/2025 - 16:51 Feature Update (Mar. 17, 2025): Trinity Pacific Christian School in Ventura County will once again represent the state of California as the winner of the statewide finals and will advance to the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Phoenix, Arizona from May 7-10. See results here. Thousands of students all over the state have donned their best suits and public speaking skills as they acted out various roles in the courtroom. Now it’s time to see who takes top honors.  After weeks of competition, students from 32 California counties gear up for this year's finals of the California Mock Trial Competition, which takes place in Los Angeles from March 14-16.  Participants will argue the fictitious kidnapping case People v. Gold. The defendant Logan Gold has been charged with the kidnapping of Taylor Alexander, who is a rival candidate to Gold’s spouse Harper Dorais in a city council race in the rural mountain town of Emerald Bend, California. Gold is the assistant campaign manager to their spouse and is also the sole hotel owner in town. The prosecution argues that Gold had political and financial motives for abducting Alexander. The defense argues that Gold was without a cell phone and GPS tracking the day Alexander was abducted, which was the day of the city council candidate debate. The pretrial issue centers on a defense motion to exclude a potentially incriminating statement made by Gold while in police custody.  Teach Democracy (formerly known as the Constitutional Rights Foundation) created the California Mock Trial Program in 1980. The statewide program stemmed from a successful model in Los Angeles County and helps students acquire a working knowledge of the judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society.  In addition to the mock trials themselves, counties award individual honors to students in courtroom artist and journalist contests.  Check out some highlights from different county competitions in our interactive map below (If you are unable to view the map below, click here). If you wish for your county to be included, contact courtnews@jud.ca.gov with information, photos, and links. California high schools have placed in first or second place four times in the National Mock Trial Competition since 1984. Year School County Place 1989 John Marshall High School Los Angeles 2nd 1994 Arlington High School Riverside 1st 2005 Tamalpais High School Marin 1st 2013 La Reina High School Ventura 2nd