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

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News Release - June 8, 2020

Judicial Council, Chief Justice Consider Ending Some Emergency Measures as California and Courts Expand Reopening

The Judicial Council of California will consider ending three temporary emergency rules governing evictions, judicial foreclosures and an emergency bail schedule, as California begins a phased re-opening and courts restore services shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Justice

Access

Feature - July 28, 2020

Video: Colleagues Salute Retiring California Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin

Fellow California Supreme Court justices paid tribute to Justice Chin before his last oral argument, which was held by videoconference.

California Supreme Court

justice ming chin standing in audience holding microphone speaking

Feature - June 30, 2020

What to Know About the Judicial Branch Budget

The budget cuts $200 million from the state court system, though $150 million could be restored if the federal government sends additional aid by the fall.

Feature - October 10, 2019

Judicial Council Presents 2019 Awards of Distinction and Service

The Judicial Council presented the 2019 Distinguished Service Awards on Nov 14 in San Francisco. The prestigious Aranda Access to Justice Award was also presented in partnership with the California Lawyers Association and the California Judges Association.

Distinguished Service Awards

Aranda Access to Justice Award

Judge Chittick's Veterans Treatment Court

Feature - November 30, 2018

California Courts Complete 19th Annual Court Adoption and Permanency Month

Hundreds of children awaiting adoption got their day in court and their forever families during the month of November.

Feature - September 18, 2018

“We’re building strength instead of wagging a finger.”

A Q&A with Steve Binder, a 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipient from San Diego whose innovative court model started a nationwide movement.

NBC News: Hear ye, hear ye, Homeless Court is in session

Veterans Village of San Diego Homeless Court

Stand Down 2018 serves veterans

Collaborative Courts

San Diego

Feature - September 15, 2017

Court Helps Courageous Family Give Boy a New Start

The Judicial Council on Thursday voted to proclaim November “Court Adoption and Permanency Month," when many California courts will dedicate extra courtrooms and judges to settling large numbers of adoption cases.

Feature - September 15, 2016

Incoming Judicial Council Member Terms Begin This Week

Two judges and an attorney join the Judicial Council, terms begin Sept 15, 2016. Ms. Audra Ibarra Audra Ibarra is an appellate law expert and practitioner. She was...

Judicial Council Members

Rule of Court 10.2: Council Membership and Terms

San Diego

Tehama

Feature - June 15, 2016

Reentry Courts Focus on Parolees at Highest Risk

With California’s growing focus on criminal justice reform comes expanding use of reentry courts as an alternative to cycles of re-incarceration. Reentry courts, a type of collaborative justice court for individuals released from jail or prison, offer...

Reentry Courts

Parolee Reentry Court Program Evaluation

Reentry Court Roundtable Materials

Collaborative Courts

Criminal Justice Reform

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.

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

News Release - January 10, 2020

Report Supports Case for Collaborative Courts and Pretrial Programs

At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Judicial Council will receive a final report on a three-year grant for 39 collaborative courts and pretrial programs that tracked retention, recidivism, and failure to appear rates for participating defendants.

Judicial Council

Pretrial

Collaborative Courts

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.