You are here: Home / Resources

Resources

About California Courts
California has 58 superior courts to hear civil and criminal cases, as well as the Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Capitol Alert on The Sacramento Bee
We’re adding a Sacramento Bee political blog to our court-focused “RESOURCES” section. That’s because the CapitolAlert blog is a fairly routine stop for anyone following the legislature, and of late it’s had a good bit to say about the ongoing debate (the blog calls it a “civil war”) over who will speak for California judges. A recent post said this: “California’s civil war of the judges apparently will continue, even though a rebel organization scored a major victory this year… a “trailer bill” to the 2012-13 state budget incorporated many provisions of legislation that the breakaway Alliance of California Judges had sought over the opposition of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye in a quest for more local control of court funds.”

Judicial Council of California
Chaired by the Chief Justice of California, the Judicial Council establishes policies and priorities for the statewide administration of justice in the California Courts.

Judicial Profiles
Looking for information about a specific judge, perhaps one involved with your case? Our selections are hardly meant to be comprehensive, but there are several good lists out there. We like the one by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, mostly because it offers a chance to comment on the judges. It even suggests “confidential critiques,” which has to appeal to those with negative experiences. 

Jury Service
Learn all about jury basics or find links to your local court. For employers, learn about how you can support jury service.
 
Online Self-Help Center
A great link for self-help questions. Granted, the state-created site can be frustrating with its many “it all depends” qualifiers, but this is a good starting point for virtually any issue from fees to family court.  
 
This website, part of the state’s self-help Internet effort, is basically Small Claims 101. It offers useful tips on research and lets you know what to expect from either side of a small claims action. Of course, now that most of the small claims courts are being closed it should add a section on patience. 
 
National Civil Justice Resources
 
There are a number of  organizations associated with the National Center For State Courts, which (from its website) “… is the organization courts turn to for authoritative knowledge and information, because its efforts are directed by collaborative work with the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and other associations of judicial leaders.”
 
Resources and links include:
 
CCJ provides an opportunity for the highest judicial officers of the states to meet and discuss key matters in the administration of justice, rules and methods of procedure, and the organization and operation of state courts and judicial systems, and to make recommendations and bring about improvements on such matters.
 
COSCA provides a national forum to assist state court administrators in the development of a more just, effective, and efficient system of justice.
 
The CCJSCA is a vehicle for consultation on court administration, rules and methods of procedure, and the organization and operation of the state courts of appeal.
 
For more national civic justice resources, go to our national online publication, the National Courts Monitor.