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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

Legislation

remote access

remote hearings

domestic violence

Feature - October 21, 2021

Visits to Local Classrooms Bring Lessons on the Constitution

To commemorate Constitution Day, California judges visited classrooms and libraries statewide to deliver lessons on the three branches of government and the role of the courts. The effort supports a year-round drive to foster a better understanding of the judicial branch among students and teachers. 

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 17, 2020

Report Finding: Collaborative Court and Pretrial Programs Work

At its January 17 meeting, the council received a final report on a three-year grant supporting 39 collaborative court and pretrial programs that tracked retention, recidivism, and failure to appear rates for participating defendants.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Criminal Justice Reform

Innovations

Council members receive the final report on the Recidivism Reduction Grant Program, a three-year grant supporting and evaluating 39 collaborative court and pretrial programs.

News Release - August 9, 2019

Judicial Council Funds 16 Pretrial Pilot Programs

The Judicial Council on Friday awarded millions of dollars to fund pretrial projects in 16 trial courts throughout the state.

Fact Sheet: Pretrial Pilot Program Highlights

Judicial Council Report

Archived Meeting Webcast

Criminal Justice Reform

News Release - May 7, 2019

Chief Justice Visits Monterey Superior Court

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and Administrative Director Martin Hoshino met with court leadership and staff from Monterey Superior Court to learn how the court is improving access to justice for county residents.

Monterey County Superior Court

Administrative Director Martin Hoshino Bio

Monterey

Chief Justice

News Release - January 15, 2019

Chief Justice Names Group to Review Pretrial Reform Efforts in California

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Tuesday announced a new work group to review progress on reforms to California’s system of pretrial detention and identify next steps to continue work on the issue.

Judicial Council Meeting Video with Agenda

Pretrial

Bail

Criminal Justice Reform

Feature - December 18, 2018

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

From erasing old marijuana convictions to helping courts weather natural disasters, track the new laws that will change California courts in 2019.

Court Related Legislation

Criminal Justice Reform

News Release - September 24, 2018

Chief Justice Honors Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup with Award for Exemplary Service

Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup and retired Judge Richard Couzens honored for their work that led to a new law that replaces money bail with risk assessment.

Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup

Report on Senate Bill 10

Chief Justice

Criminal Justice Reform

Judge Lisa Rodriguez (left) and Judge Brian Back, co-chairs of the Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup.

News Release - September 21, 2018

Council Hears Plan for Implementing New Law that Replaces Money Bail with Risk Assessment

At its Sept. 20–21 business meeting, the Judicial Council heard a report on how the judicial branch will help implement Senate Bill 10, recently signed legislation that will eliminate money bail for criminal defendants.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Timeline: Judicial Branch Bail Reform

Judicial Council

Criminal Justice Reform

Feature - September 18, 2018

"You either self-destruct or you become a champion for others."

A Q&A with Judge Donna Groman, a 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipient, who overcame a tough childhood to become an advocate for California's at-risk youth.

Los Angeles

Criminal Justice Reform

Keeping Kids In School

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