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News Release - February 17, 2021

Judicial Council Sponsors Bill to Celebrate California Native American Day

“The Judicial Council of California and its chair, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, are committed to providing equal access and fairness in our justice system,” said Judge Marla O. Anderson.

Superior Courts

Judge Abby Abinanti, Yurok Tribe member and co-chair of the Judicial Council’s Tribal Court-State Court Forum.

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

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Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

Judicial Council members participate remotely at the January 22, 2021 business meeting.

News Release - June 29, 2020

California Chief Justice Issues Statement on Budget

"We in the judicial branch will do our best to serve the public in these unprecedented times of a global pandemic and recession," Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye said.

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

News Release - June 3, 2020

Council Working Group Releases Pandemic Recovery Resource Guide for Courts

Guide addresses more than 200 questions and topics related to facilities, personnel, jury management, case management and processing, and communications.

Judicial Council

Superior Courts

Recommendations for displays like this one in Napa County are outlined in a resource guide for courts created by a Judicial Council workgroup.

News Release - May 17, 2019

Council Hears How Increase in Funding Helped Courts Expand Services for the Public

The Judicial Council received a report on how the state’s trial courts used additional funding included in this fiscal year’s judicial branch budget to expand hours, reopen closed locations, and invest in new technology to increase access to justice for the public.

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Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judge Michael Begert (center), coordinator Allyson West (left), and Army veteran Darian Evans presented to the council on San Francisco's Veterans Justice Court.

News Release - May 10, 2019

Report to Judicial Council Shows Expansion of Self-Help Services by Local Courts

At its May 17 business meeting, the council will receive a report on how the state’s trial courts are using new branch funding provided in the 2018 state budget to increase access and improve court efficiency for the public.

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Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

News Release - March 15, 2019

Report: Video Remote Interpreting Effective for Court Users with Limited English Skills

At its March 15 business meeting, the Judicial Council approved recommendations for updating guidelines for video remote interpreting (VRI) and voted to have its staff coordinate a new VRI program for the judicial branch.

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Judicial Council

Meeting information

Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts

Language Access

Judicial Council

News Release - January 15, 2019

Judicial Council Hears How Language Services for Court Users Have Expanded

The Judicial Council at its January 14–15 business meeting heard from Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar on how California courts have increased access for court users with limited English skills.

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Judicial Council

Meeting information

Language Access

Judicial Council

Presented by Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar.

http://jcc.granicus.com/player/clip/890?meta_id=30525

News Release - July 27, 2017

Study: Free legal services help settle high-stakes civil cases

A pilot program that funds free legal services for low-income Californians facing critical civil cases drastically increased the likelihood of settlement, improved the longevity of court orders, and reduced court costs, a new study shows.

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Judicial Council Report to the Legislature: Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act

Shriver Custody Projects Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Shriver Housing Projects Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Shriver Guardianship Project Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Judicial Council

News Release - September 24, 2019

Council Approves New Formula for Ranking Judicial Need

The formula forms the basis of the Judicial Needs Assessment, which estimates California needs an additional 173 judges.

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Judicial Council

Judicial Council

News Release - December 11, 2015

Courts Improving Access for Mentally Ill

SAN FRANCISCO— A task force appointed three years ago by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye to improve case processing and outcomes for court users with mental illness was sunsetted by the Judicial Council with an assurance that the council will carry on its work with the help of other advisory committees.

Judicial Council

News Release - May 13, 2022

Chief Justice Issues Statement on Governor's May Budget Revise

Revised budget proposal includes funding for a Judicial Council unit to provide training, technical assistance, and legal support to California’s trial courts on environmental and climate change issues.

Judicial Council

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

Summary