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

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News Release - December 7, 2020

California Chief Justice Issues Advisory to Courts Amid COVID-19 Surge

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Monday issued an advisory to leaders of California’s 58 county superior courts with guidance to continue to seek emergency orders if needed based on local conditions and ability to hold remote hearings or provide social distancing under state and local health rules.

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 - March 5, 2021

Judicial Council to Hear Plan to Expand Digital Court

Will receive reports on addressing defendants with mental health issues, how state youth facility closures will affect local courts

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

News Release - November 4, 2020

California Chief Justice Appoints New Work Group to Address Bias in Court Proceedings

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye announced a new work group to update a judicial standard that outlines steps courts can take to prohibit bias in courtroom proceedings.

Chief Justice

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

Feature - May 10, 2016

Courts Use Technology to Improve Jury Service

May 9-13 is Juror Appreciation Week, but courts are making the jury system better all year with check-in kiosks, text reminders, and web-based services.

Juror Appreciation Week

Jury Service in California

Feature - April 29, 2016

Justice Judith McConnell Honored for Work in Civic Education

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye has selected Administrative Presiding Justice Judith D. McConnell for the Chief Justice's Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership for her outstanding work in civics.

Judith McConnell, 4th District Court of Appeal

Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership

Chief Justice

Civics

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.

Feature - April 29, 2016

Chief Justice to Create Judicial Council Budget Committee

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye this week called for the creation of a Judicial Council Budget Committee to review recommendations on statewide budget changes, the use of statewide reserves, and proposals for grant funding for judicial branch ...

Judicial Council

Budget

Feature - April 22, 2016

Making the Jury System More Efficient

The Judicial Council has revised rules of court and forms to help implement a statute that expands the use of expedited jury trials in California, effective July 1.

Latest Council Action on Expedited Jury Trials

Jury Service in California

Jury Duty

Judicial Council