Chief Justice

Chief justice

Patricia Guerrero

Photo Credit: Judicial Council of California

Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, California's 29th chief justice, was sworn into office January 2, 2023. She is the first Latina and the third woman to serve as the state’s chief justice.

The Chief Justice leads the state's third branch of government, the judicial branch. In addition to her role on the California Supreme Court, her constitutional duties include chairing both the Judicial Council and the Commission on Judicial Appointments.

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Chief Justice Issues Statement on Governor's May Budget Revise

May 13, 2022

Revised budget proposal includes funding for a Judicial Council unit to provide training, technical assistance, and legal support to California’s trial courts on environmental and climate change issues.

Chief Justice

Superior Courts
Chief Justice Delivers State of the Judiciary Address

March 16, 2022

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye released today her annual State of the Judiciary address, recorded prior to the first in-person Judicial Council meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Chief Justice
California Chief Justice Rescinds Temporary Emergency Measures

March 3, 2022

Four emergency measures will be rescinded effective April 30, governing extensions of time for preliminary hearings and civil trials, the use of technology, and fast-tracking local court rules.

Chief Justice
Commission on Judicial Appointments to Consider Two Appellate Court Nominations

December 1, 2021

Remote hearings on Jan. 6 for nominations to appellate courts in Sacramento and Santa Ana will be webcast live from the California Courts Newsroom.

Courts of Appeal

Chief Justice
Council Receives Strategies for Helping Court Users at Risk of Becoming Homeless

November 19, 2021

Also approved revision to standard promoting an environment free of bias in court proceedings and declared November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month

Chief Justice

Judicial Council
Chief Justice Speaks on Emergency Orders, Remote Services, Diversifying California Judiciary

October 22, 2021

On October 21, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) hosted a virtual Conversation with Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye.

Chief Justice

Superior Courts

Supreme Court
Visits to Local Classrooms Bring Lessons on the Constitution

October 21, 2021

To commemorate Constitution Day, California judges visited classrooms and libraries statewide to deliver lessons on the three branches of government and the role of the courts. The effort supports a year-round drive to foster a better understanding of the judicial branch among students and teachers. 

Chief Justice
Commission Confirms Justice to First District Court of Appeal

October 13, 2021

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed Judge Victor A. Rodriguez as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three (San Francisco).

Chief Justice

Courts of Appeal
Study shows remote proceedings increase efficiency, access

September 20, 2021

Remote proceedings have improved case clearance rates and cleared previous case backlogs in some areas

Chief Justice
Commission Confirms Appointments to Courts of Appeal

August 30, 2021

Reports on the nominees can be found here.

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed four nominations to the California Courts of Appeal in San Francisco and San Jose.

The hearings were held virtually for only the second time in the commission's history.

Chief Justice

Courts of Appeal