In a May 28 decision in J.O. v. Superior Court, the California Supreme Court specifically cited Yolo County as an example of the dangers posed by blanket judicial challenges under Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6, referencing the prosecution’s use of the statute to remove the county’s only Hispanic judge from hearing felony criminal cases.

(Subscription required) Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero has appointed four new voting members and four new advisory members to the Judicial Council. The appointments, announced Thursday, include judges, court administrators and attorneys from across the state. Two members will begin their terms July 1, while six others will join the council Sept. 15.

California’s Supreme Court on Thursday directed the state bar to gauge public support for the potential creation of so-called community justice workers, a cadre of supervised nonlawyers who would provide limited legal help in underserved areas.

(Subscription required) Raised in an immigrant community and shaped by years advocating for domestic violence survivors, Commissioner Erika J. Diaz now presides over some of the most emotionally charged matters in family court, where she strives to ensure litigants feel heard even when they disagree with the outcome.