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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.

The Judicial Council approved a revision to emergency rule 9 regarding the statutes of limitations for filing civil cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to clarify that the emergency rule also applies to “statutes of repose”.

At its May 15 teleconference meeting, the council received reports on potential reductions to judicial branch funding, as well as planning efforts to restore court access and services restricted due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Meeting agenda and council reports are online, and a link to a live audiocast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting.

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

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

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. 

Council also approves expansion of an online pilot program enabling low-income litigants to request reductions in traffic infraction fines and fees remotely

Audio and video hearings now available in 250 criminal courtrooms.

The amnesty program reduces unpaid fines and assessments on qualifying traffic tickets and non-traffic infractions.

Diversity on the California bench has slowly but steadily increased, according to a legislatively mandated annual report released today by the Judicial Council.

At its public meeting on January 19, Judicial Council members heard a report that the use of evidence-based practices in pretrial risk assessment can reduce misconduct and failure to appear rates for criminal defendants.