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News Release - June 21, 2022

Council Launches Working Group to Study Remote Proceedings in Civil Cases

Recommendations will include which case types and proceedings could be handled remotely.

Code of Civil Procedure Section 367.9 Working Group

remote access

remote hearings

Civil

Blue on white seal of the judicial council

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.

News Release - March 3, 2020

(UPDATE: Sessions Postponed) Judicial Workgroup Seeks Public Comment on Risk Assessment Tools

The Pretrial Reform and Operations Workgroup will host public comment sessions in Los Angeles and San Francisco on risk assessment tools as one component in pretrial decisionmaking.

Public Comment Procedures

Pretrial

Los Angeles

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

Feature - December 20, 2019

Courts Help Put New Laws into Effect

Keeping guns from dangerous people, restricting courthouse immigration arrests, and limiting "deepfake" election videos are just a few of the new laws that will change California in 2020.

Criminal Justice Reform

Feature - November 19, 2019

In the News: Meet the Chief Justice

KRON4 journalist Pam Moore takes a look at the Chief Justice's tenure leading California's judicial branch.

Chief Justice

Pretrial

Immigration

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

Feature - June 28, 2019

5 Things to Know about the Judicial Branch Budget

Governor Gavin Newsom signed his first state budget on Thursday, which includes nearly $470 million in new judicial branch funding to continue the courts’ steady recovery after years of deep cuts.

Chief Justice Releases Statement on Judicial Branch Budget for 2019-20

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 - January 15, 2019

Chief Justice Names Group to Review Pretrial Reform Efforts in California

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Tuesday announced a new work group to review progress on reforms to California’s system of pretrial detention and identify next steps to continue work on the issue.

Judicial Council Meeting Video with Agenda

Pretrial

Bail

Criminal Justice Reform

News Release - September 17, 2018

Demolition Work to Start on Location for New Santa Barbara Criminal Courthouse

Demolition work to prepare the site for a new Santa Barbara Criminal Courthouse is scheduled to begin in the next few weeks. Perimeter fencing and other preparations for demolition are set to begin Sept. 24.

New courthouse project

Judicial Council

Santa Barbara

Facilities

Feature - August 21, 2018

Pretrial reform moves to Governor's office

Today the California State Legislature sent an historic bill to the Governor that will fundamentally change California's pretrial release and detention system.

Senate Bill 10

Pretrial Detention Reform in California

Criminal Justice Reform

Pretrial