At its May 12 business meeting, the Judicial Council
approved new court rules and forms to implement the
Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act.
The act establishes a new, noncriminal proceeding that authorizes
specified people to petition a civil court to create a voluntary
CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan. The plan would
include treatment, housing support, and other services for
persons with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic
disorders. Once the court has ordered a CARE plan, the court must
hold regular status hearings to review the progress of the person
under the plan.
The new rules and forms were posted for public comment, resulting
in nearly 300 pages of input.
The committee revised the rules to address service/notice
requirements to the parties involved, use simple language so the
forms are easily understood, and contemplate interpreter or
disability accommodations.
The act also directs the council to collect data on the CARE
Act’s implementation, as well as provide training and technical
assistance on the process for judges and court
staff. Watch.
Report on Pretrial Release Program
The council received a report on the statewide pretrial release
program, which supports court programs and practices that promote
the safe, efficient, fair, and timely pretrial release of people
booked into jail.
The program supports judicial officers to make pretrial release
decisions that impose the least restrictive conditions to address
public safety that ensure defendants will return to court, as
well as implement appropriate monitoring practices and provisions
for people released.
This initial report
to the council presents preliminary statewide data on
the booking, release, and demographic characteristics of
arrestees. The report also notes how the council will continue to
provide courts with technical support, financial review, site
visits, and training for judicial officers and court staff on
pretrial practices. The council will now forward the report to
the Legislature. Watch.
