Madera County Superior Court is one of many courts to offer the tool that conveniently allows court users to look up citation information online, answer a series of questions and submit a request to the court for a possible reduction in the amount owed based on their financial situation. Users of the tool can also request a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service.

(Subscription required) On Aug. 24, David Hood was sworn in as a judge of the Merced County Superior Court. On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom named him to the Stanislaus County Superior Court amid a round of 15 trial court appointments around the state.

Former Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye will lead a conversation with current Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The October 26 in-person and online program in Sacramento is sponsored by the Public Policy Institute of California, which Cantil-Sakauye now heads.

The award celebrates K-12 public schools that provide rich civic learning opportunities for students. Since the Civic Learning Awards’ inception in 2013, 33 elementary, middle and high schools have received the program’s highest honor.