California Judicial Branch

The Judicial Council's governance policies focus on ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice within California's court system. Key areas include establishing broad goals and policies for continuous improvement, setting standards for performance and accountability, developing administrative and technological infrastructures, securing appropriate funding, sponsoring legislation, and fostering professional development. The policies emphasize strategic leadership, alignment with judicial branch goals, and consultation with stakeholders to enhance public trust and confidence in the courts.

The strategic plan for language access in the California courts focuses on improving early identification and data collection on language needs, providing qualified language access services in all judicial proceedings and at all points of contact outside judicial proceedings, ensuring high-quality multilingual translation and signage, expanding language access through recruitment and training of providers, providing judicial branch training on language access policies, conducting community outreach, and identifying necessary systems, funding, and legislation for plan implementation and management. The plan aims to ensure equal access to justice for limited English proficient (LEP) Californians by addressing language barriers in the court system.

The action plan focuses on improving services for self-represented litigants by developing court-based self-help centers, offering support services, and allocating judicial and staff resources effectively. It emphasizes judicial branch education, public outreach, and the strategic use of court facilities to enhance access to justice. The plan also addresses the fiscal impact and implementation strategies for statewide improvements.

The meetings covered a range of topics, including agenda setting for Judicial Council business, review of the Mental Health Issues Implementation Task Force's annual agenda, and discussion of action items from annual agenda meetings with advisory groups. The committee also addressed special fund allocations for education, specifically reallocating funds for the statewide Cow County Institute. Nominations to the Judicial Council and the Board of State and Community Corrections were reviewed, and guidelines were discussed for handling nominations. Pending legislation was a significant focus, with actions taken on bills related to minors and nonminor dependents, public safety officials' confidentiality, child support formula adjustments, and domestic violence protective orders. The committee also discussed and took positions on bills concerning state property and court security funding realignment. Budget updates were provided, and discussions were held on mortgage foreclosure bills and electronic filing in trial courts. The committee addressed the California Hope Public Trust and its potential impact on court facilities, and also discussed postrelease community supervision and video appearances in traffic and juvenile cases.

The meeting addressed family law rules and forms governing child support proceedings, including the adoption of new rules and forms and modifications to existing ones. Revisions to the Statewide Notice to Appear forms were approved. The council discussed and approved a new rule on kinship adoption agreements and related forms, along with actions related to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and adoption forms. Technical amendments to California Rules of Court and forms were made, and electronic filing and generation of Judicial Council forms pilot projects were discussed. Amendments to rules regarding the record on appeal were approved. Probate forms for guardianships and conservatorships were also addressed. The council also discussed California Rules of Court and Forms to Implement Unified Superior Courts (SCA 4), Trial Court Coordination Plans for Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Pro Tem Judge Use in the Judicial Needs Determination Process, Recommendations Regarding Balance of Fiscal Year 1997--1998 Allocation of One Percent Reserve, Designation of Testing Entities for Court Interpreters, and Compliance Review of Testing Entities for Certifying Court Interpreters for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired.