COVID News Center:

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

Search results

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 - November 10, 2020

Hearing to Consider Martin J. Jenkins (Ret.) to California Supreme Court

Link to Commission materials here.

SAN FRANCISCO—The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold a hearing today starting at 1 p.m. to consider the appointment of Justice Martin J. Jenkins (Ret.) to the Supreme Court of California.

California Supreme Court

News Release - November 10, 2020

Justice Martin J. Jenkins Sworn In to California Supreme Court

Praised for his "brilliant intellect, first-class temperament, and boundless humanity," Justice Jenkins makes history as the first openly gay California Supreme Court justice and only the third African American man to serve on the state’s highest court.

Photo Album: Martin Jenkins Confirmed to California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court

Feature - August 6, 2020

Court Innovations During COVID-19

Courts have launched new ways to provide safe access to justice—proceedings streamed live online, remote hearings for litigants, live chat help, remote adoptions & more.

Feature - August 6, 2020

Courts use Remote Technology for Community Outreach

Since the COVID-19 state of emergency issued in mid-March, courts around the state have been holding more court hearings remotely. Now courts are looking for ways to expand remote technology to support community engagement.

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

Feature - August 11, 2020

Los Angeles Court Expands Remote Hearings to Hundreds of Criminal, Family Law Courtrooms

Audio and video hearings now available in 250 criminal courtrooms.

Los Angeles has expanded remote hearings to 250 criminal courtrooms.

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

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 10, 2016

Youth Courts Helping Keep Kids in School

Youth court leaders, judges, youth court staff, volunteers, education and youth-focused organizations, and community service leaders will gather in Santa Cruz this June to exchange information on best practices for youth courts.

Peer/Youth Courts Website

2016 Youth Court Summit (PDF)

California Association of Youth Courts

Video: Cheif Justice Cantil-Sakuaye Speaks at Marin YMCA on Youth Courts

Collaborative Courts

Marin

L.A. Superior Court Judge David Wesley is the president of the state's association of youth courts (CAYC). Judicial Council staff organize an annual summit for youth courts throughout the state.

Feature - May 9, 2016

State Judicial Staff Attorneys Can Now Help Bridge the Justice Gap

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and judicial leaders in California’s six Courts of Appeal have approved a new policy that will help judicial branch staff attorneys who want to provide pro bono services without compromising their work.

California's Justice Gap: Facts & Figures

Feature - May 2, 2016

Supreme Court Begins Live Webcasting

The Supreme Court of California will begin live webcasting of its early-May three-day oral argument calendar session in San Francisco, beginning May 3. The decision to webcast the court's oral argument calendar sessions was announced by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye in her 2016 State of the Judiciary Address to a joint session of the California Legislature in March.

Supreme Court Homepage