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

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Feature - May 19, 2020

Supreme Court Rolls Out Oral Argument by Videoconference

Since April, the state Supreme Court rolled a large screen television into its San Francisco courtroom to conduct oral arguments.

Oral Arguments

Covid-19

Technology

Social distancing in the Supreme Court of California's courtroom in San Francisco. May 5, 2020

Feature - December 20, 2019

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

Keeping guns from dangerous people, restricting courthouse immigration arrests, and limiting "deepfake" election videos are just a few of the new laws that will change California in 2020.

Criminal Justice Reform

Feature - May 13, 2019

California Courts Appreciate Jurors

Juror Appreciation Week is one way the courts thank citizens for helping make the justice system work. See ways California courts aim to make the civic right and obligation of jury service more convenient.

Juror Appreciation Week

One-day One-Trial Jury Service

Postponing Jury Service

Plain-language jury instructions

Technological Improvements

Jury Duty

News Release - May 17, 2021

Judicial Council to Consider Policy Concepts on Use of Branch Data and Information

The Judicial Council meets this Friday, May 21. The livestream will be posted at 9:30 a.m.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

event - July 9, 2021

Judicial Council Meeting

Update: Meeting Videocast

News Release - March 5, 2021

Judicial Council to Hear Plan to Expand Digital Court

Will receive reports on addressing defendants with mental health issues, how state youth facility closures will affect local courts

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

News Release - March 12, 2021

Chief Justice Recognizes Courts for Remaining Open and Adapting to COVID-19

Reviews how courts managed to stay open safely during the pandemic, leveraged technology, and commits to consider lessons learned to enhance access and equity

Transcript of Chief Justice remarks from meeting

Judicial Council Meeting

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

event - October 7, 2020

Supreme Court Oral Arguments for October 7, 2020

Counsel will appear remotely and courtroom seating for the press will be strictly limited to achieve appropriate distancing. The public will continue to have access to argument via live-streaming.

event - November 3, 2020

Supreme Court Oral Argument

Counsel will appear remotely and courtroom seating for the press will be strictly limited to achieve appropriate distancing. The public will continue to have access to argument via livestreaming on the judicial branch website: https://www.courts.ca.gov .

Feature - December 31, 2020