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News Release - December 11, 2015

Courts Improving Access for Mentally Ill

SAN FRANCISCO— A task force appointed three years ago by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye to improve case processing and outcomes for court users with mental illness was sunsetted by the Judicial Council with an assurance that the council will carry on its work with the help of other advisory committees.

Mental Health

Judicial Council

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 - 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

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 - March 7, 2018

Millions of Californians Without Lawyers Find Help in the Courts

Facing growing numbers of civil and family law litigants representing themselves, courts are expanding services offered through “self-help” centers.

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 - 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 19, 2019

California Chief Justice Delivers 2019 State of the Judiciary Address

Chief Justice says civil rights work remains unfinished; current challenges of income inequality, pretrial reform, and equal access require innovation and a human touch from a more representative judiciary.

Chief Justice Speeches

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment Work Group

Self-Help Services

Pretrial Detention Reform

Judicial Demographics

Court Innovation Grants

Language Access

Chief Justice Photo Archive

State Of The Judiciary

Chief Justice

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 - March 10, 2020