Chief Justice Honors Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup with Award for Exemplary Service

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye honored members of the Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup and retired Judge Richard Couzens with the Chief Justice Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership for work that led to a new law that replaces money bail with risk assessment. The award honors an individual, entity, or program deserving of special recognition for outstanding service to the judicial branch.

The Chief Justice established the workgroup in fall of 2016 to provide analysis and recommendations for areas in which courts may identify better ways to make pretrial release decisions that will promote fairness, protect the public, and ensure court appearances. Senate Bill 10, the recently signed legislation that will eliminate money bail for criminal defendants, relied heavily on the workgroup’s recommendations, which the Chief Justice received in October 2017.

“The work that was done is groundbreaking and will result in a different future for so many people and their families,” said the Chief Justice. “It wasn’t until this report came out that we saw real changes to the pretrial system. It shows you what branches of government can do when we work together.”

Recipients of the Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership:

Judge Brian J. Back (Ret.), Superior Court of Ventura County (co-chair of the workgroup)

Judge Lisa R. Rodriguez, Superior Court of San Diego County (co-chair of the workgroup)

Judge Mark Boessenecker, Superior Court of Napa County

Alex Calvo, Court Executive Officer, Superior Court of Santa Cruz County

Judge Arturo Castro, Superior Court Alameda County

Judge Hilary A. Chittick, Superior Court of Fresno County

Judge George C. Eskin (Ret.), Superior Court of Santa Barbara County

Judge Scott M. Gordon, Superior Court of Los Angeles County

Judge Teri L. Jackson, Superior Court of San Francisco County

Judge Brian L. McCabe, Superior Court of Merced County

Judge Serena R. Murillo, Superior Court of Los Angeles County

Judge Risë Jones Pichon, Superior Court of Santa Clara County

Judge Richard Couzens (Ret.), Superior Court of Placer County