Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye is sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of California, becoming the first Asian-American and second woman in state history to hold the office. For the first time in history, the Supreme Court of California would be majority female.
As a result of the Recession, the judicial branch’s budget is chopped by roughly $1 billion over five years, leading to courthouse closures, reduced hours and worker layoffs. $300 million earmarked for court construction and maintenance is swept by the Legislature.
The Chief Justice launches her Civic Learning Initiative after finding little time was devoted to teaching civics in California public schools. Supported by statewide partners, her Power of Democracy campaign has provided a blueprint for revitalizing civic education; 14 counties have civic education efforts inspired by the blueprint; more than 300 schools have been recognized with Civic Learning Awards; and a new Judges in the Classroom program pairs judges with local educators to teach students about the judicial branch.
The Judicial Council adopted a new process to equalize court funding, as vast disparities existed between the 58 California counties. Some counties only received half the funding they needed. Today, funding has largely been equalized, helping to provide a more consistent level of service for court users throughout the state.
Chief Justice introduces Access 3D to expand physical, remote and equal access to California’s courts. Among the goals: that courts be safe, secure, accessible, and open during hours that benefit the public; that court users be able to conduct their business online; and that courts must serve people of all languages, abilities and financial needs.
California's judicial branch becomes the most transparent in the nation when the council adopts a rule allowing public access to meetings held by its internal and advisory committees.
The Judicial Council unanimously selects Martin Hoshino, Undersecretary for Operations at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as the council's Administrative Director.
The Judicial Council adopts the Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts, providing a statewide approach to ensure equal access for Californians with limited English skills.
In another move to increase public access, the Judicial Council begins live streaming its public meetings.
The nation's most-followed state Supreme Court opens another window of transparency when it begins regular web-streaming of its oral arguments. The court also provides real-time captioning in English and Spanish, further expanding access to court proceedings.
