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Statewide emergency actions and updates on county court services and operations here.

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News Release - November 6, 2020

Judicial Council to Hear Reports on Chatbot Services, Pretrial Risk Assessment, Courthouse Building Standards

Will also review toolkit of best practices on complying with the Indian Child Welfare Act

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council Meeting

Judicial Council

News Release - November 13, 2020

Council Hears Reports on Use of Chatbots, Pretrial Release Tools; Approves Updated Courthouse Building Standards

Also reviewed best practices for courts to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act and proclaimed November as Court Adoption and Permanency Month

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

Feature - December 22, 2020

2020 Year in Review: Judicial Council of California

How the judicial branch kept courthouses open during a year of unprecedented challenges.

Judicial Council

News Release - August 10, 2020

California Supreme Court Issues Order Finalizing Lower Passing Score for Future Bar Exam Takers

Lower passing score will not be applied retroactively to previous Bar Exam takers, court writes in letter to State Bar.

State Bar

California Supreme Court

State Bar

Bar Exam

graphic of laptop keyboard on white canvas with text that says next exam date Oct 5-6

News Release - December 22, 2020

California Chief Justice Launches Program to Fast Track Backlogged Criminal Cases

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Tuesday announced she will launch a program to fast track the resolution of criminal cases and make retired judges available through the Temporary Assigned Judges Program to reinforce those efforts.

Chief Justice

Feature - December 31, 2020

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

Hundreds of new laws went into effect Jan. 1, including many that will protect the public and improve access to justice for all Californians.

Chief Justice

Child Welfare

Keeping Kids In School

Criminal Justice Reform

Jury Duty

Juvenile Justice

News Release - January 8, 2021

California Chief Justice Releases Statement on Governor's Budget Proposal

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Friday issued the following statement on the Governor’s budget proposal for the judicial branch:

Chief Justice

Budget

News Release - January 14, 2021

Commission Confirms Appointment to Court of Appeal

Justice Truc T. Do is the first Asian American woman justice on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Chief Justice

Commission On Judicial Appointments

Fourth Appellate District

News Release - January 19, 2021

Judicial Council to Consider Allocating $25 Million to Address Case Delays Due to COVID-19

Council will also receive reports on the branch’s ability-to-pay program, self-help centers, and voice-to-text language services

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

News Release - January 28, 2021

California Supreme Court Expands Law License Pathway for Prior Examinees

Thousands more law school graduates with qualifying prior bar exam scores will be able to work as fully licensed attorneys after completing supervised practice hours.

California Supreme Court

Bar Exam

News Release - January 22, 2021

Judicial Council Allocates $25 Million to Address Case Delays Due to COVID-19

Council also approves expansion of an online pilot program enabling low-income litigants to request reductions in traffic infraction fines and fees remotely

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting