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

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News Release - September 24, 2021

Report: Grant Program Spurred Court Innovations

Funding used for remote video, online services, and expanding self-help also helped limit the service impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on court users

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

Technology

Blue on white seal of the judicial council

News Release - May 17, 2019

Council Hears How Increase in Funding Helped Courts Expand Services for the Public

The Judicial Council received a report on how the state’s trial courts used additional funding included in this fiscal year’s judicial branch budget to expand hours, reopen closed locations, and invest in new technology to increase access to justice for the public.

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

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 19, 2021

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

Council will also receive reports on the branch’s ability-to-pay program, self-help centers, and voice-to-text language services

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

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

Feature - October 4, 2019

Restorative Justice Programs Offer Veterans a New Mission

Veterans surrender to a personal mission thanks to a growing number of Veterans Courts.

Council Approves $23.5 Million in Grant Funding for Court Innovations

Court Innovation Grant

San Luis Obispo County Judge John Trice, who retired in 2017, calls establishing a local Veterans Treatment Court one of his greatest achievements.

News Release - May 10, 2019

Report to Judicial Council Shows Expansion of Self-Help Services by Local Courts

At its May 17 business meeting, the council will receive a report on how the state’s trial courts are using new branch funding provided in the 2018 state budget to increase access and improve court efficiency for the public.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

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 17, 2021

Judicial Council to Consider Policy Concepts on Use of Branch Data and Information

The Judicial Council meets this Friday, May 21. The livestream will be posted at 9:30 a.m.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

Feature - July 12, 2021

What to Know About the Judicial Branch Budget

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a budget that includes $1.2 billion in new funding for the judicial branch, including restoring $200 million in previous cuts and making major investments in judicial branch programs improving access to justice.

California's Judicial Branch Budget Process

Chief Justice

Budget

Access

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.