California Judges Want Reform...Now!

By Tanya Roth, Esq. on July 20, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

California judges want reform.

Over 90 percent of respondents are asking for immediate action from the Judicial Council to adopt recommendations made by the Strategic Evaluation Committee, reports Courthouse News. These recommendations would change the way the Administrative Office of the Courts operates.

The responses came during an open call for comments on the reform. Most of the respondents were judges and some of the comments made were harsh.

"The AOC is more than just an embarrassment. It is a travesty," wrote Judge Robert Perry.

The comments may have been too harsh for some, as was the language in the Strategic Evaluation Committee's report, writes Courthouse News .

But the Judicial Council isn't 100 percent on board. According to Courthouse News, some Judicial Council members have said that the restructuring would cause harm to the people who depend on their services.

In fact, the Judicial Council chose not to address the 220 page Strategic Evaluation Committee report issued in May, reports The Examiner.

The report was the result of a year long research initiative, focusing on criticism from judges about the AOC's internal operations, in light of strained budgets and layoffs in the courthouses.

Said Judge Ariadne Symons: "The members appear to believe they control the judges and tell them what to do, rather than support the judges in performing their functions."

Was the public comment period a mistake? Did it open the floodgates to harsh criticism but accomplish nothing more? Despite the criticism, no immediate actions are being made by the Judicial Council and the status quo plays on in California courts.

There is one day left for comments, before the forum closes. Let's see what transpires.

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