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Feature - April 22, 2016

Making the Jury System More Efficient

The Judicial Council has revised rules of court and forms to help implement a statute that expands the use of expedited jury trials in California, effective July 1.

Latest Council Action on Expedited Jury Trials

Jury Service in California

Jury Duty

Judicial Council

Feature - April 29, 2016

Chief Justice to Create Judicial Council Budget Committee

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye this week called for the creation of a Judicial Council Budget Committee to review recommendations on statewide budget changes, the use of statewide reserves, and proposals for grant funding for judicial branch ...

Judicial Council

Budget

Feature - May 10, 2016

Youth Courts Helping Keep Kids in School

Youth court leaders, judges, youth court staff, volunteers, education and youth-focused organizations, and community service leaders will gather in Santa Cruz this June to exchange information on best practices for youth courts.

Peer/Youth Courts Website

2016 Youth Court Summit (PDF)

California Association of Youth Courts

Video: Cheif Justice Cantil-Sakuaye Speaks at Marin YMCA on Youth Courts

Collaborative Courts

Marin

L.A. Superior Court Judge David Wesley is the president of the state's association of youth courts (CAYC). Judicial Council staff organize an annual summit for youth courts throughout the state.

Feature - May 10, 2016

Courts Use Technology to Improve Jury Service

May 9-13 is Juror Appreciation Week, but courts are making the jury system better all year with check-in kiosks, text reminders, and web-based services.

Juror Appreciation Week

Jury Service in California

Feature - May 12, 2016

Courthouse Upgrades for Jurors

See how new and renovated courthouses are making jury service a more comfortable experience.

Courthouse Projects

Juror Appreciation Week

Feature - May 18, 2016

Drug Courts Evolve to Repair Lives; Reduce Recidivism

Roughly 206 drug courts serve residents in 53 of California’s 58 counties. By helping people with substance abuse issues repair their lives, drug courts divert those who could otherwise cycle repeatedly through the criminal justice system.

Drug Courts

Collaborative Justice Courts

Collaborative Courts FactSheet

California Drug Court Cost Analysis Study

Collaborative Courts

Monterey

Siskiyou

Orange County Superior Court Judge Wendy Lindley (ret.) oversees the special treatment court just for combat veterans. Photo Credit: Megan McCloskey | Stars & Stripes (stripes.com)

News Release - February 1, 2017

Chief Justice Creates Workgroup to Address Confusion over Immigration Concerns

SACRAMENTO—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye today announced the creation of a California Immigration Information Resource Workgroup to address the concerns and confusion among many Californians about what immigration resources are available to support them.

Update: Immigration Resources Directory

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

Judicial Council of California

The California Courts Self Help Center

Language Access

Judicial Council

Feature - June 9, 2017

In Teen Courts, A Second Chance

California’s 75 teen courts let youth face a jury of their peers—and steer cases away from the juvenile justice system.

Fact Sheet: Youth Courts

Peer/Youth Courts

California Association of Youth Courts

Collaborative Courts

San Bernardino

Los Angeles

Feature - July 14, 2017

California's Collaborative Justice Courts

Did you know that California was one of the first states to establish a collaborative court in the U.S.?

Superior Court of Orange County 2016 Annual Report on Collaborative Courts

Collaborative Courts Fact Sheet

Collaborative Courts

Orange

News Release - July 27, 2017

Study: Free legal services help settle high-stakes civil cases

A pilot program that funds free legal services for low-income Californians facing critical civil cases drastically increased the likelihood of settlement, improved the longevity of court orders, and reduced court costs, a new study shows.

Judicial Council Report to the Legislature: Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act

Shriver Custody Projects Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Shriver Housing Projects Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Shriver Guardianship Project Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Feature - August 10, 2017

Civics Movement Gains Ground

Inspired by the Chief Justice, 13 California counties launch efforts to boost civic education.

News Release - September 14, 2017

Chief Justice Names Members of Advisory Committee on Audits and Financial Accountability

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Wednesday named nine members to the Judicial Council’s Advisory Committee on Audits and Financial Accountability for the Judicial Branch.