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 - December 20, 2019

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

Keeping guns from dangerous people, restricting courthouse immigration arrests, and limiting "deepfake" election videos are just a few of the new laws that will change California in 2020.

Criminal Justice Reform

Feature - December 6, 2019

Operation Mobile Justice

To prepare for potential emergencies, the Orange County court collaborated with Cal State Fullerton to practice using the campus’s emergency operations center as a makeshift courtroom.

Superior Court of Orange County

Orange

Physical Access

Feature - November 19, 2019

In the News: Meet the Chief Justice

KRON4 journalist Pam Moore takes a look at the Chief Justice's tenure leading California's judicial branch.

Chief Justice

Pretrial

Immigration

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 - August 21, 2018

Pretrial reform moves to Governor's office

Today the California State Legislature sent an historic bill to the Governor that will fundamentally change California's pretrial release and detention system.

Senate Bill 10

Pretrial Detention Reform in California

Criminal Justice Reform

Pretrial

Feature - November 1, 2016

Video Release: Chief Justice Names Pretrial Work Group

Video with captions: Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye announces charge and members of the Pretrial Work Group.

Chief Justice

Pretrial

Feature - August 26, 2016

Status of California's Courthouse Construction Projects

Courthouse projects in various stages—all require funding to continue. Others are indefinitely delayed.

Council Approves “Complete Next Step Then Hold” Plan for New Courthouses

County Present Facility Needs Aug 11, 2016

Print Report

Court Facilities Advisory Committee Meeting Page

Budget

Facilities

Physical Access

Feature - December 20, 2021

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

On Jan. 1, hundreds of new laws go into effect, including many that will protect the public and improve access to justice for all Californians. Here are a few worth noting.

Access

Jury Duty

Criminal Justice Reform

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.