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

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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 - December 22, 2020

California Chief Justice Launches Program to Fast Track Backlogged Criminal Cases

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Tuesday announced she will launch a program to fast track the resolution of criminal cases and make retired judges available through the Temporary Assigned Judges Program to reinforce those efforts.

Chief Justice

Feature - December 31, 2020

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

Hundreds of new laws went into effect Jan. 1, including many that will protect the public and improve access to justice for all Californians.

Chief Justice

Child Welfare

Keeping Kids In School

Criminal Justice Reform

Jury Duty

Juvenile Justice

News Release - January 8, 2021

California Chief Justice Releases Statement on Governor's Budget Proposal

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Friday issued the following statement on the Governor’s budget proposal for the judicial branch:

Chief Justice

Budget

News Release - January 14, 2021

Commission Confirms Appointment to Court of Appeal

Justice Truc T. Do is the first Asian American woman justice on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Chief Justice

Commission On Judicial Appointments

Fourth Appellate District

News Release - January 28, 2021

California Supreme Court Expands Law License Pathway for Prior Examinees

Thousands more law school graduates with qualifying prior bar exam scores will be able to work as fully licensed attorneys after completing supervised practice hours.

California Supreme Court

Bar Exam

News Release - February 17, 2021

Judicial Council Sponsors Bill to Celebrate California Native American Day

“The Judicial Council of California and its chair, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, are committed to providing equal access and fairness in our justice system,” said Judge Marla O. Anderson.

Chief Justice

Access

Superior Courts

Judge Abby Abinanti, Yurok Tribe member and co-chair of the Judicial Council’s Tribal Court-State Court Forum.

News Release - April 28, 2021

Meeting on Addressing Bias in Court Proceedings

Chief Justice’s work group addressing bias in court proceedings will provide information on the work group’s charge and work to date, presentations from local court bias committees, and information on existing complaint procedures.

Work Group homepage

Chief Justice Appoints Work Group

Implicit Bias

Chief Justice

addressing bias in court proceedings thumbnail white text over blue

Feature - June 8, 2020

California Chief Justice Speaks out on Addressing Racism and Bias

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye issued a statement on the justice system's role in addressing racism and bias.

Chief Justice

Access

Feature - April 6, 2020

California Chief Justice: "No need and no right will be overlooked"

Read remarks from Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye.

Chief Justice

Access

Feature - March 4, 2020

Summit Caps Five-Year Effort to Keep Kids in School and Out of Court

A convening of educators and jurists focused on lowering student suspension rates and chronic absenteeism in rural communities.

Chief Justice

Keeping Kids In School

From 2012-2019, student suspensions statewide have dropped by half, but rural county numbers show less of a decline. (click chart to enlarge)

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