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News Release - February 7, 2023

For Public Comment: Presiding Judge Communications

Deadline for public comment is March 23.

News Release - January 20, 2023

Ethics Committee Adopts Opinion about Disqualification for Prior Judicial Involvement in Criminal Trial Proceedings

Following public comment, final opinion provides guidance for judges issuing bench warrants or presiding over change of plea hearings

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - September 8, 2022

Public Comment: Judges Consulting with Colleagues on a Case

Deadline to comment is Oct. 24.

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - September 2, 2022

Ethics Committee Issues Advice about Disqualification and Disclosure Obligations for Trial Judges Coaching Youth Sports Teams

Supreme Court ethics committee issues guidance for judges about coaching youth sports teams that include children of attorneys who appear before the court.

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - June 17, 2022

Public Comment: Disqualification and Disclosure Obligations for Trial Judges Coaching Youth Sports Teams

Deadline to comment is August 1.

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - May 26, 2022

California Supreme Court Extends Provisional Licensing Program

Court extends program through December 31, 2022 for both participant cohorts: 2020 law school graduates and those with qualifying prior Bar Exam scores.

Bar Exam

State Bar

California Supreme Court

News Release - May 19, 2022

Ethics Committee Issues Advice about Book Reviews and Endorsements by Judges

Supreme Court ethics committee issues guidance for judges about commenting on or endorsing legal education books written by others.

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - May 11, 2022

Ethics Committee Issues Advice About Fundraising by Retired Judges Engaged in Private Dispute Resolution Services

Supreme Court ethics committee issues guidance to retired judges who are privately retained about fundraising activities.

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - February 2, 2022

Ethics Committee Issues Advice about Disqualification When a Judge’s Spouse May be a Trial Witness

Supreme Court ethics committee issues guidance for judges about the timing of disqualification when a judge’s spouse may be called as a witness at trial.

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

News Release - January 4, 2022

Ethics Committee Issues Disqualification Advice to Judges in Mentor Program

Supreme Court ethics committee issues expedited guidance for judges in the California Judicial Mentor Program about disqualifying from cases involving mentees.

California Judicial Mentor Program

Ethics

Committee On Judicial Ethics Opinions

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.