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News Release - January 21, 2015

Council Approves Language Access Plan for Courts

SACRAMENTO—At its public meeting on January 22, the Judicial Council approved the adoption of a comprehensive language access plan that provides a consistent statewide approach to ensure language access for all limited English proficient court users...

Language Access

Feature - December 15, 2016

Creating Access: The Judicial Council’s 2016 Annual Review

In 2016, the Judicial Council continued focusing on efforts to better stabilize branch funding, improve branch governance, and to address concerns about fairness raised by the public, our sister branches of government, and stakeholders throughout the state.

Feature - August 28, 2017

Courts Improving Service for Limited-English Speakers

Did you know that Spanish is the most requested language by limited-English-proficiency court users?

Language Access Plan Implementation Task Force

Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts

Language Access

Interpreter

Feature - June 8, 2018

Court Interpreters’ Conference Brings a Host of Languages to the Judicial Council

Court interpreters from around the world convened at the Judicial Council June 5 for the start of a four-day conference on the challenges and solutions in legal interpreting in the U.S. and Europe.

Language Access

Court Interpreters Program

Interpreter

Language Access

Feature - June 27, 2018

What's in the Judicial Branch Budget?

Governor Jerry Brown signed a state budget on Wednesday that will help restore court services slashed during the recession, fund courthouse projects, and improve access to justice for millions of Californians.

News Release - January 15, 2019

Judicial Council Hears How Language Services for Court Users Have Expanded

The Judicial Council at its January 14–15 business meeting heard from Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar on how California courts have increased access for court users with limited English skills.

News Release - March 15, 2019

Report: Video Remote Interpreting Effective for Court Users with Limited English Skills

At its March 15 business meeting, the Judicial Council approved recommendations for updating guidelines for video remote interpreting (VRI) and voted to have its staff coordinate a new VRI program for the judicial branch.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts

Interpreter

Language Access

Judicial Council

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

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 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.

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.