In California, missing a criminal court date means facing additional charges, fines, and incarceration.

In January, the court experienced two history-making transitions. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, who first joined the court in March 2022 as an associate justice, was sworn in as California’s first Latina chief justice after being overwhelmingly confirmed by the voters in the November general election. Justice Kelli Evans, formerly an Alameda County judge, was sworn in at the same time and became the first openly lesbian justice to sit on the state’s high court.

(Subscription required) The California Supreme Court rejected the State Bar’s request to change agency rules involving how out of state moral character applications are processed, as well as whether or not law office study students should be able to participate in the bar’s practical training program.

(Subscription required) In a brief hot mic moment between the sitting chief justice and a former justice of the California Supreme Court, a quick chat about getting together to play golf encapsulated not only the casualness of retirement, but a compulsory restraint of tongue requirement for someone who doesn't have that luxury.