Courts use Remote Technology for Community Outreach
Since the COVID-19 state of emergency issued in mid-March, courts around the state have been holding more court hearings remotely. Now courts are looking for ways to expand remote technology to support community engagement.
Judges in the (Virtual) Classroom
In San Diego, judges created an alternative to their in-person "Judges in the Classroom" program. In May and June, more than 580 students participated in 18 virtual sessions through the program.
The need for civic learning in schools has remained vital throughout the pandemic, and many of our judges jumped at the chance to quickly shift the program to an interactive and engaging virtual format.
--Judge Carolyn Caietti, a member of the Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Steering Committee.
Virtual Townhall on Civil Unrest and Racism
The San Bernardino Superior Court Community Outreach Committee, comprised of judges and court staff, use remote technology to host "Virtual Townhall on Civil Unrest and Racism: What Are We Doing?" The one-hour online event held on July 30 was moderated by judges with representatives from local and state justice partners serving as panelists.
Discrimination and racism will not be accepted nor tolerated. SBSC will continue to advance initiatives that achieve our mission of providing equal access to justice for all regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability or socio-economic status.
--Presiding Judge Michael A. Sachs