November 3, 2016

During its most recent public meeting, the Judicial Council heard, considered, or took action on a variety of issues relative to the administration of justice. Many of them have direct impact on counties.

• Establish A New Pre-Trial Detention Workgroup: The Chief Justice announced the formation of a new working group to study current pretrial detention practices and provide recommendations for potential reforms.
• State-level Reserve Fund for Trial Courts: The council approved an updated process for trial courts to apply for emergency funding from the newly established $10 million state-level reserve.
• Trust Funds Held on Behalf of Trial Courts: The council approved requests for funds to be held on behalf of trial courts in Mendocino and Napa Counties so they can address significant expenditures related to case management systems that cannot be financed within their annual budgets.
• Court Statistics Report: The council received an update on the newly released 2016 Court Statistics Report.
• Judicial Workload Assessment: The council approved a report for the legislature and the governor on the need for new judgeships. While judgeship need has decreased per the decline in court filings, the report shows that nearly 189 new judicial officers are still needed in 31 courts to meet their workloads. The council also approved a proposed priority ranking for any new authorized and funded judgeships.
• Court Adoption and Permanency Month: The council approved a resolution proclaiming November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month. The annual resolution recognizes the efforts of California’s juvenile courts and their justice partners to provide children and families with access to fair, understandable judicial proceedings that lead to safe, stable, and permanent homes for youth in foster care.

For additional information and meeting details please click here.