Responding to Public Concerns

Judicial Integrity and Impartiality

A priority for the Courts is to preserve the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system. As part of that effort, statewide administrative rules and committees are established to focus attention on bias in the Courts.

Elimination of Bias 

• California Judges Association
  In furtherance of the Court’s duty to eliminate bias, the California Judges Association established the Elimination of Bias and Inequality Committee which serves to identify bias and inequality within the judicial system and make recommendations for changes.
   

• Court’s duty to prevent bias-Standard 10.20
  California Rules of Court: Standard of Judicial Administration, Standard 10.20 provides for the Court’s duty to prevent bias and encourages the creation of local or regional committees on bias.

Public Concerns

In order to capture and allow for public comments, the State of California and various courts have created online forms, procedures, and information fact sheets to address public comments or concerns. 

• Judicial Branch: Procedural Fairness in the California Courts:
  The California Judicial Council published its “Fact Sheet: Procedural Fairness in the California Courts” to explain what is procedural fairness and how to go about effecting such fairness.
   

• Commission on Judicial Performance 
  The State of California Commission on Judicial Performance is charged with investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and incapacity, as well as disciplining judicial officers. Its website provides information on any recent actions taken against a judicial officer and other Commission activities. It includes instructions on how to file a complaint against a judicial officer. 
   

• Feedback/Complaint Form- San Bernardino County 
  The San Bernardino County Superior Court created a “Feedback Form” for public use regarding court staff, court procedure and suggestions for improvement. The public is then asked to send the form to the court location in question.
   

• Public Notice & Inquiry – Los Angeles- Submission of comments about court administration 
  The Los Angeles Superior Court “Share Your Comments” website provides information and instructions on how court users can provide feedback regarding a court service or program, including whether their case was handled fairly, timely and efficiently.
   

• Bias Complaint Procedure Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Standard 10.20(d)-Siskiyou County 
  In accordance with California Rule of Court, Standard 10.20(d), the Siskiyou County Superior Court provides detailed instructions about the bias complaint procedure and where to send the different types of complaints, including regarding a judge or commissioner, court staff, or attorney. 

Information made easily accessible to all

Part of the Court’s response to public concerns is to learn how to engage the public through community outreach. Below are materials that discuss ways to reach minority communities as well as the general public.
 

• NCSC- Court Outreach to Minority Communities
  In 2015, the National Center for State Courts issued its “Court Outreach to Minority Communities: Methods Used, Lessons Learned, and Transitioning from Outreach to Engagement.” The paper identified five community outreach mechanisms used by state courts nationwide and noted promising practices.

• Los Angeles County Community Outreach 
  The Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County established the Community Outreach Initiative, which brings judicial officers to the community through various programs, including the Court-Clergy Conference, Courtroom to Classroom, Power Lunch, SHADES, Teachers Courthouse Seminar and others.