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

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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.

Budget

Dependency

Interpreter

Language Access

Collaborative Courts

Self-Help

exterior of capital building in Sacramento

Feature - February 25, 2020

San Diego Superior Court Restores North County Probate Services

Starting Monday, March 2, North County residents will no longer be required to drive to downtown San Diego to file their probate matters.

San Diego

Budget

Feature - October 29, 2019

California Lawyers Endorse Chief Justice’s Civic Learning Initiative

The Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye's Civic Learning Initiative took center stage at the Annual California Lawyers Association in Monterey.

Judges in the Classroom

Power Of Democracy

Civics

Chief Justice

Justice Judith McConnell invites students to take the role of judge during a program to teach kids about the judicial branch at the California Lawyers Association annual conference.

News Release - October 23, 2019

Chief Justice Receives Sandra Day O'Connor Award

Chief is recognized for her leadership on advancing civics education for all California students.

National Center for State Courts

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 - October 7, 2019

A Year in Review: the California Supreme Court

A look back at highlights of the court's 2018-2019 year.

California Supreme Court

Death Penalty

Civics

Feature - October 4, 2019

Restorative Justice Programs Offer Veterans a New Mission

Veterans surrender to a personal mission thanks to a growing number of Veterans Courts.

Council Approves $23.5 Million in Grant Funding for Court Innovations

Court Innovation Grant

San Luis Obispo County Judge John Trice, who retired in 2017, calls establishing a local Veterans Treatment Court one of his greatest achievements.

Feature - September 30, 2019

In this Fresno Courtroom, A Safe Haven

Seeded with more than $500,000 in grant money from the Judicial Council, the Fresno court is one of 50 programs funded through the Court Innovations Grant Program.

To break the cycle of children sold for sex, the legal system is trying somethi…

Fresno

Court Innovation Grant

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.

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 - April 13, 2021

32 California Schools Named Recipients of 2021 Civic Learning Award

A total of 32 California schools are named this year's recipients of the Civic Learning Awards, an honor which recognizes achievements in civic engagement in the classroom. This year, the awards program put emphasis on school-based efforts that went uninterrupted despite the pandemic.

Civic Learning Awards

Civics

Awards