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

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News Release - March 1, 2022

Survey Results: California Bench Growing More Diverse

Data show steady increase over the last 16 years in the number of women, and justices and judges of color

Judicial demographic data

Judicial Diversity Toolkit

Judicial Mentorship Program

Diversity

Appointments

Judiciary

Chart showing demographics of California justices and judges over the last 16 years

News Release - November 12, 2021

Council to Consider Ways to Help Court Users at Risk of Homelessness

Will also hear about standards to prevent bias in court proceedings, a new remote proceedings guide, and efforts to educate youth about the court system

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

bias

Civics

Covid-19

Blue on white seal of the judicial council

Feature - October 22, 2021

Chief Justice Speaks on Emergency Orders, Remote Services, Diversifying California Judiciary

On October 21, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) hosted a virtual Conversation with Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakakuye.

Chief Justice

Covid-19

Judiciary

article banner with photo of chief justice in round frame

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 - October 8, 2021

Chief Justice Invites Civic Learning Award Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Civic Learning Awards, which recognize programs in public schools that engage youth in civics learning.

Power of Democracy

Civics

Chief Justice

News Release - October 28, 2020

Fifth District Court of Appeal Engages in Online Community Outreach

Fresno City College business law students will have the opportunity to virtually attend a public live-stream video of oral argument and participate in a question-and-answer session with several of the justices via an online meeting platform.

Fifth District Court of Appeal

Fifth Appellate District

Civics

News Release - October 5, 2020

Gov. Newsom Selects Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.) for California Supreme Court

FROM THE OFFICE OF GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM—Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.) for Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court.

Justice Jenkins has held several prominent state and federal judicial positions throughout his career. He would be the first openly gay California Supreme Court justice and only the third African American man ever to serve on the state’s highest court. It has been 29 years since an African American man has served on the California Supreme Court.

Judicial Selection in California

Appointments

Judiciary

News Release - September 22, 2020

California Chief Justice Commemorates Constitution Day

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, state and federal judges, teachers and students celebrate the 223rd Anniversary of the Signing of the U.S. Constitution.

News Release - August 19, 2020

Justice Laurie Zelon to Retire from Second Appellate District

Jurist known for her intelligence, skill, and tireless commitment to expanding access to justice

Justice Zelon bio

Second Appellate District

Access

Judiciary

Feature - August 6, 2020

Courts use Remote Technology for Community Outreach

Since the COVID-19 state of emergency issued in mid-March, courts around the state have been holding more court hearings remotely. Now courts are looking for ways to expand remote technology to support community engagement.

News Release - March 5, 2020

Civic Learning Awards Honor 75 California Schools

Seventy-five public schools were honored with Civic Learning Awards, which are co-sponsored by the Chief Justice and State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Civic Learning Initiative

Chief Justice

Civics