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Feature - April 22, 2016

Making the Jury System More Efficient

The Judicial Council has revised rules of court and forms to help implement a statute that expands the use of expedited jury trials in California, effective July 1.

Latest Council Action on Expedited Jury Trials

Jury Service in California

Jury Duty

Judicial Council

Feature - May 10, 2016

Courts Use Technology to Improve Jury Service

May 9-13 is Juror Appreciation Week, but courts are making the jury system better all year with check-in kiosks, text reminders, and web-based services.

Juror Appreciation Week

Jury Service in California

Feature - May 12, 2016

Courthouse Upgrades for Jurors

See how new and renovated courthouses are making jury service a more comfortable experience.

Courthouse Projects

Juror Appreciation Week

Feature - October 5, 2017

Crafting the Next Generation of Judicial Leaders

For more than two decades, the Judicial Council has offered a unique opportunity to students with a keen interest in law, policy, and the administration of justice through the Judicial Fellowship Program.

Judicial Fellowship Program

California State University, Sacramento: Capital Fellows Program

Judicial Council

Feature - January 3, 2018

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

In 2018, a number of new laws were created in the hope of expanding the rights of Californians through the court system.

Judicial Council

Criminal Justice Reform

Feature - March 7, 2018

Millions of Californians Without Lawyers Find Help in the Courts

Facing growing numbers of civil and family law litigants representing themselves, courts are expanding services offered through “self-help” centers.

Feature - September 30, 2019

In this Fresno Courtroom, A Safe Haven

Seeded with more than $500,000 in grant money from the Judicial Council, the Fresno court is one of 50 programs funded through the Court Innovations Grant Program.

To break the cycle of children sold for sex, the legal system is trying somethi…

Fresno

Court Innovation Grant

Feature - October 4, 2019

Restorative Justice Programs Offer Veterans a New Mission

Veterans surrender to a personal mission thanks to a growing number of Veterans Courts.

Council Approves $23.5 Million in Grant Funding for Court Innovations

Court Innovation Grant

San Luis Obispo County Judge John Trice, who retired in 2017, calls establishing a local Veterans Treatment Court one of his greatest achievements.

Feature - February 24, 2020

Innovation in a Click (or Tap)

Court of Appeal in Fresno spearheads projects to modernize and expand access to justice for Californians appealing their cases.

Court Innovation Grant

Fifth Appellate District

Technology

Ming Chin

Feature - December 20, 2021

2021 Year in Review: Judicial Council of California

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to challenge the state’s ability to ensure access to justice for the citizens of California. But like the previous year, California’s Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and the Judicial Council supported the courts as they remained flexible and innovative to ensure the justice system was open and vital services remained accessible to the public.