COVID News Center:

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

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Feature - July 10, 2020

California Counties Keeping COVID-19 Emergency Bail Schedules

At least 31 California counties home to 80 percent of the state's residents have kept COVID-19 emergency bail schedules to help curb the spread of the virus in jails and surrounding communities during the pandemic, according to data from superior courts.

Covid-19

Bail

Superior Courts

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 - 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 - June 28, 2019

5 Things to Know about the Judicial Branch Budget

Governor Gavin Newsom signed his first state budget on Thursday, which includes nearly $470 million in new judicial branch funding to continue the courts’ steady recovery after years of deep cuts.

Chief Justice Releases Statement on Judicial Branch Budget for 2019-20

Feature - March 18, 2019

2011–2019: The Judicial Branch Under the Leadership of Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

As the Chief Justice prepares to address the Legislature on the 2019 State of the Judiciary, a look back at some key judicial branch milestones.

Feature - April 6, 2021

Court Self-Help Centers Offer In-Person, Remote Assistance to Californians Amid Pandemic

Court self-help centers aim to help Californians without legal representation navigate the court system.

Report: Impact of SelfHelp Center Expansion in California Courts

Self-Help

Technology

Feature - May 30, 2018

Can We Text You?

As Californians do more business on mobile devices, the state’s courts are joining in on the trend, from texting court payments to receiving jury service updates.

Feature - January 23, 2018

Courts Without Borders

With dozens of Santa Barbara court employees cut off by mudslides, an unusual partnership with a neighboring county helps keep the court running.

Feature - August 31, 2017

Courts Adapt to Tech-Savvy Users

More than 150 judges, court managers and IT professionals came together in Sacramento last week to find new ways to harness technologies to offer better service and access to the public.

Feature - August 30, 2017

California Supreme Court Helps to Shed Light on Legal System

Webcasts of the court’s oral arguments have been accessed more than 44,000 times since it began streaming them last year.

California Supreme Court

Oral Argument Webcasts

Technology

Feature - June 9, 2017

Courts Offer Self-Help Services Remotely

Videoconference technology helps deliver self-help services remotely and increases a court's outreach.

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.