COVID News Center:

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

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News Release - November 10, 2020

TODAY: Hearing to Consider Martin J. Jenkins (Ret.) to California Supreme Court

Hearing will be webcast live from the California Courts Newsroom starting at 1 p.m.

California Supreme Court

News Release - November 10, 2020

Justice Martin J. Jenkins Sworn In to California Supreme Court

Praised for his "brilliant intellect, first-class temperament, and boundless humanity," Justice Jenkins makes history as the first openly gay California Supreme Court justice and only the third African American man to serve on the state’s highest court.

Photo Album: Martin Jenkins Confirmed to California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court

event - October 7, 2020

Supreme Court Oral Arguments for October 7, 2020

Counsel will appear remotely and courtroom seating for the press will be strictly limited to achieve appropriate distancing. The public will continue to have access to argument via live-streaming.

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 - 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

Feature - August 11, 2020

Los Angeles Court Expands Remote Hearings to Hundreds of Criminal, Family Law Courtrooms

Audio and video hearings now available in 250 criminal courtrooms.

Los Angeles has expanded remote hearings to 250 criminal courtrooms.

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 - January 22, 2021

Judicial Council Allocates $25 Million to Address Case Delays Due to COVID-19

Council also approves expansion of an online pilot program enabling low-income litigants to request reductions in traffic infraction fines and fees remotely

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting