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

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Feature - June 30, 2020

What to Know About the Judicial Branch Budget

The budget cuts $200 million from the state court system, though $150 million could be restored if the federal government sends additional aid by the fall.

Budget

Dependency

Interpreter

Language Access

Collaborative Courts

Self-Help

exterior of capital building in Sacramento

Feature - February 24, 2020

Innovation in a Click (or Tap)

Court of Appeal in Fresno spearheads projects to modernize and expand access to justice for Californians appealing their cases.

Court Innovation Grant

Fifth Appellate District

Technology

Ming Chin

Feature - October 10, 2019

Judicial Council Presents 2019 Awards of Distinction and Service

The Judicial Council presented the 2019 Distinguished Service Awards on Nov 14 in San Francisco. The prestigious Aranda Access to Justice Award was also presented in partnership with the California Lawyers Association and the California Judges Association.

Distinguished Service Awards

Aranda Access to Justice Award

Judge Chittick's Veterans Treatment Court

Feature - March 18, 2019

2011–2019: The Judicial Branch Under the Leadership of Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

As the Chief Justice prepares to address the Legislature on the 2019 State of the Judiciary, a look back at some key judicial branch milestones.

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

Feature - September 18, 2018

“We’re building strength instead of wagging a finger.”

A Q&A with Steve Binder, a 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipient from San Diego whose innovative court model started a nationwide movement.

NBC News: Hear ye, hear ye, Homeless Court is in session

Veterans Village of San Diego Homeless Court

Stand Down 2018 serves veterans

Collaborative Courts

San Diego

News Release - March 2, 2018

Council Approves Framework for IT Disaster Recovery Planning

The Judicial Council at its March 2 business meeting approved a framework to help courts and other judicial branch entities with disaster recovery planning efforts, which are critical in enabling the recovery of data and services in the event of a disaster.

Feature - June 15, 2016

Reentry Courts Focus on Parolees at Highest Risk

With California’s growing focus on criminal justice reform comes expanding use of reentry courts as an alternative to cycles of re-incarceration. Reentry courts, a type of collaborative justice court for individuals released from jail or prison, offer...

Reentry Courts

Parolee Reentry Court Program Evaluation

Reentry Court Roundtable Materials

Collaborative Courts

Criminal Justice Reform

News Release - November 30, 2018

Council Adopts New Rules on Appointed Counsel in Death Penalty Review Cases

The Judicial Council at its November 29–30 meeting approved changes to rules of court that govern appointed counsel in death penalty appeals and habeas corpus proceedings.

News Release - January 10, 2020

Report Supports Case for Collaborative Courts and Pretrial Programs

At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Judicial Council will receive a final report on a three-year grant for 39 collaborative courts and pretrial programs that tracked retention, recidivism, and failure to appear rates for participating defendants.

Judicial Council

Pretrial

Collaborative Courts

News Release - August 25, 2016

Judicial Council Approves Process for Awarding $25 Million for Court Innovations

At its meeting today, the Judicial Council adopted a process to award $25 million in grant funding to promote innovative and efficient programs in the courts.

Aug 25 Council Meeting Webpage

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.