Superior Court of California County of Sacramento · PDF fileSuperior Court of California...

Superior Court of CaliforniaCounty of Sacramento

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2007–2008

Service, Judicial Independence, Accountability

VISION FOR 2012

The court is accessible to all of its constituents through multiple venues and media that

support the diverse needs of the community.

We provide 24/7 access to services via the Internet and operate local service centers that

focus on the needs of the community.

We use a single case management system for all case types, supporting our ability to accept

fi lings on most case types at all locations.

Our facilities provide a professional environment that is adequate, safe and secure

for judges, employees, and the public.

Public lines are short, and signage and kiosks provide individuals the option of

self-service.

In collaboration with our justice and community partners, we continue to operate proven problem-solving in courts in addition to playing a lead role in testing new ideas in community and problem-solving based justice.

Our staff is well-trained and inspired by their jobs and applicants see us as an employer of choice in the region. Employees feel satisfaction in their daily work, but also feel dedicated to public service and appreciate the key role the justice system plays in our society.

We are honored to hold the trust and confi dence of our local citizens and value the collaborative relationships with our community and justice partners, both attributes that make us a model jurisdiction inside and outside the State of California.

Our Mission and VisionThe mission of the Sacramento Superior Court is to assure justice,

equality, and fairness for all under the law.

Contents

2 ...................... Letter from the Presiding Judge

4 ...................... Letter from the Court Executive Offi cer

6 ...................... Organization Chart

8 ...................... Judges of the Sacramento Superior Court – 2008

9 ...................... Commissioners and Referees of the Sacramento Superior Court – 2008

10 .................... Judicial Appointments

12 .................... Awards and Recognition

14 .................... Our History

16 .................... Our Court Community

18 .................... Court Filings

19 .................... Court Budget

20 .................... The Year in Review – Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Highlights

25 .................... Community Outreach

26 .................... Grand Jury

27 .................... Collaborative Justice Courts

29 .................... Jury Services

29 .................... Interpreter Services

30 .................... Court Locations

32 .................... Acknowledgements

11

Inside front cover........Mission and Vision


2

Letter from the Presiding JudgeThe Sacramento Superior Court is in the midst of the most rapid change and growth of its history. This change and growth is critical to better serving our public – a public that expects and will continue to expect the delivery of “just-in-time service.” Enhancing our collaborative efforts and forging new partnerships is the key to our success. Likewise, educating our public through a number of outreach activities and programs helps to build and sustain their confi dence, trust and respect.

The growing public’s reliance on technology and the knowledge that technology will continue to affect business processes drive us to advance initiatives and projects that bring us into the 21st century. We are meeting this goal – and continue to work with the Administrative Offi ce of the Courts (AOC) and other trial court executive and administrative teams to further expand the California Court Case Management System (CCMS) and eventually simplify the records management process for both the court and our customers.

We also looked at our court facilities to assess equipment needs and other areas where we could make improvements to service. As a result we ordered the upgrade of each courtroom with a presentation computer, and state-of-the-art visualizer along with a matching projector and sound system – anticipating a growing demand from lawyers and judges to lay out arguments and instruct jurors with multimedia presentations. This effort will continue.

In anticipation of new judgeships and associated staff over the next few years, pending state budget stability, we envision and plan for a new courthouse design to accommodate the court’s evolving needs.

2

Annual ReportFiscal Year 2007-2008

In addition to looking at technology to better serve our public, we also collaborated -

through the Sacramento County Criminal Justice Cabinet - with various agency partners

to pilot a Violation of Probation (VOP) “in lieu of” specialty night court at the Lorenzo E. Patiño Hall of Justice. We launched the

program with an overarching goal to provide a more effi cient use of limited resources without

compromising mandated processes.

In the area of community outreach and education, the court partnered with California

State University, Sacramento to pilot an undergraduate judicial administration internship

program. Five upper-division students were selected to participate in this program as part

of their two semester course requirements. The intent of the program is to educate

students about the courts and the law through observations in the courtroom, administrative,

and operational areas.

The Juvenile Court, along with its justice partners, hosted the 7th Annual Trading Secrets

Conference. The conference emphasizes collaboration and cultivation of cross-agency

relationships to share and establish best

3

practices for the Sacramento County juvenile justice system. Over 550 participants attended this year’s conference.

These, and similar, outreach efforts highlight the importance of building partnerships and pooling resources to advance cross-agency goals and planning activities. Along these lines, judicial offi cers invest countless hours performing community service and education. The community has expressed its appreciation of these efforts by presenting our judicial offi cers with numerous awards.

Together, through our collective efforts, we continue to foster respect and public trust of the judiciary.

Presiding Judge James M. Mize


4

Our continued success relies on our ability to recruit and retain highly competent and

motivated staff. Having excellent staff enables us to continue to volunteer in designing

and implementing new advancements in technology, such as the statewide Court Case

Management System (CCMS) and Phoenix, the statewide Court Financial Management and Human Resource System. We are the only court in California participating in the

design and implementation of both systems. As CCMS V3 (version 3) went live here last fall

in the civil area, our CCMS V4 development team launched planning efforts for other case types. Why do we do this? We have selfl ess,

pragmatic and selfi sh reasons for participating on the bleeding edge of these projects.

We contribute staff and money to design and develop what will likely be the largest

judicial branch case management system in the world. Chief Justice Ronald George and

Administrative Director of the Courts’ Bill Vickrey asked for volunteers and we raised our hands. Our participation was pragmatic

as well. We want to learn all we can about this new system, how it operates, and how it can

best be used. We want to develop our own experts. We want to give talented members of

our staff the opportunity to work on a “once in a lifetime” project that will both stretch their

existing skills and develop new ones. Finally, selfi shly, we want to make sure that this new system meets as many of our court’s unique

needs as possible. The only way to accomplish these things is to be part of the group that

develops, designs, and implements the system.

Letter from the Court Executive Offi cerImplementing the Phoenix HR system, again in partnership with the Administrative Offi ce of the Courts (AOC), has presented

additional opportunities. We have gotten into the payroll business at a level that we have not experienced before. We have learned that if you do really well - everyone gets their paychecks on time, the paychecks and accompanying stubs include all of the proper amounts for salary, vacation, sick leave and deductions - no one notices. On the other hand, if the paycheck or one of the accruals is incorrect - people notice and none of them are happy. This experience, again, has allowed us the opportunity to participate in decisions that are being made in the deployment of a statewide system - this time with existing software - and the opportunity to bond with some of our AOC colleagues who are also operating in new and exciting territory with a new technology system.


We recently created the Communications and Community Outreach Division. As we are

working faster and harder and doing great work with less staff, two of the things that suffer are communications and community outreach. In

tough times, we need more communication rather than less communication. We also need to maintain our excellent relationship with the

community – especially in light of the Chief Justice and Judicial Council focus on access

and fairness. This new division is charged with maintaining a critical focus on both

communication and community outreach.

The activities described within this document are not the result of what we have done to

participate in innovative projects, treat our staff well, or create a new division. The activities that you will read about are the result of the individual and collective efforts of a talented

and inspired group of judicial offi cers and

to aff esheednd

ff s e d d

court staff working in one of the most under-resourced courts in the state. They provide the citizens of Sacramento County with a judicial system of which they can be proud.

Dennis B. Jones

5

We continue to strive to deliver world class customer service, to increase our effectiveness, and to make improvements to make the court a better place to

work for our employees.


6

Organizational Structure

Director William R. Ridgeway Courthouse

Manager

Facilitators Offi ce Self-Help Center

Manager

Probate

Manager

Family Court Services

Manager

Family Law

Director Juvenile

Manager

Juvenile Delinquency

Manager

Juvenile Dependency

Director Research & Evaluation

Operations Support Services

Court Research Unit

Director CCMS V-4 Project

Manager

Application Development

Director MIS

Business Solutions

Manager

Networking

Manager

Customer Service/Training

Manager

Product Support

Deputy Executive Chief Deputy

Executive

Presiding

JUD

Director Communications

Internal & Public Information

Community Outreach

Director Human Resources

Training

Manager

Payroll/Benefi ts

Labor Relations Offi cer

Director Facilities &

General Services

Manager

Facilities

Manager

Business Services Center

Purchasing

Director Legal Research

Criminal Manager

Civil Manager

Director Finance

Manager

Budget

Manager

Accounting Downtown

Manager

Accounting CMJC & WRRFRC

Manager

Internal Audit

CJu

Unla

Sm

C


7

y Executive Deputy Executive

e Offi cer

g Judge Assistant Presiding Judge

Executive Secretary

GES

Director Carol Miller stice Center

Manager

Traffi c

Manager

awful Detainer

mall Claims

Courtroom Support

Director Criminal Division

Manager

Court Attendants

Civil & Criminal Courtroom Clerks

Manager

Criminal Support

Pretrial Services

Exhibits/CrimRecords/

Records Retention

Director Civil Division

Vacant Manager

Civil Support

Civil Case Management

Civil CCMS Support

Manager

Electronic Recording

Interpreters

Court Reporters

Manager

Jury Services

Appeals

Judicial Assignment

Manager

Master Calendar

Civil Settlement Law & Motion

Judicial ServicesOffi cer

Exec. Offi ce

Judicial Services

Grand Jury

Travel


8

Judges of the SacramentoSuperior Court – 2008

Stairs: Hon. James Mize, Hon. David Abbott, Hon. Jack Sapunor. Hon. Steven Rodda, Hon. James Long, Hon. Loren McMaster, Hon. Renard Shepard, Hon. Peter McBrien, Hon. Michael Garcia, Hon. Roland Candee, Hon. Troy Nunley, Hon. Richard Gilmour, Hon. Michael Virga, Hon. Allen Sumner, Hon. Kevin McCormick, Hon. Trena Burger-Plavan, Hon. Sharon Lueras, Hon. Robert Hight, Hon. Laurie Earl, Hon. Patrick Marlette

Landing: Hon. Jerilyn Borack, Hon. Judy Holzer Hersher, Hon. Shelleyanne Chang, Hon. John Winn, Hon. Emily Vasquez, Hon. Pamela Smith-Steward, Hon. Russell Hom, Hon. James McFetridge, Hon. David De Alba, Hon. Eugene Balonon, Hon. Jaime Román, Hon. Steve White, Hon. Raymond Cadei, Hon. Alan Perkins, Hon. Delbert Oros, Hon. Stacy Boulware Eurie, Hon. Gerald Bakarich, Hon. Brian Van Camp, Hon. Gerrit Wood, Hon. Cheryl Chun Meegan, Hon. Gary Mullen, Hon. Raoul Thorbourne, Hon. Michael Savage, Hon. Timothy Frawley, Hon. Helena Gweon, Hon. Matthew Gary, Hon. Michael Sweet, Hon. Maryanne Gilliard

Not Present: Hon. Thomas Cecil, Hon. Lloyd Connelly. Hon. Patricia Esgro, Hon. Greta Curtis Fall, Hon. Michael Kenny, Hon. Gail Ohanesian, Hon. Kenneth Peterson, Hon. Jane Ure


9

Commissioners and Referees of the Sacramento Superior Court – 2008

Front Row: Referee Peter Helfer, Commissioner Philip Stanger, Commissioner Patricia Wong, Commissioner Craig Regan, Referee Dean Petersen, Referee Natalie Lindsey, Referee Carol Chrisman

Back Row: Commissioner Ana Bravo, Referee Marlene Hertoghe, Referee Scott Harman, Commissioner Christopher Longaker, Referee Daniel Horton, Commissioner Russell Detrick, Commissioner Kenneth Brody, Commissioner Marjorie Koller

Not Present: Referee Susan Aguilar


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JUDGE SHARON A. LUERAS

was appointed to the Sacramento

Superior Court in October 2007. Before

her appointment, Judge Lueras

served as lead corporations counsel

with the California Department of

Corporations since 2005. From 2002 to 2005 she served as a deputy attorney general

for the California Attorney General’s Offi ce. She was a deputy district attorney for the

Yolo County District Attorney’s Offi ce from 2001 to 2002 and held the same position with

the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Offi ce from 1992 to 2001. She was also in

private practice from 1991 to 1992, where she specialized in personal injury cases.

Judge Lueras earned her Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law and

a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento.

JUDGE GERRIT W. WOOD

was appointed to the Sacramento

Bench in January 2008. Prior to his

appointment, Judge Wood served as

senior trial attorney for Vitale and Lowe

since 2002. He previously was

managing partner for the law fi rm of

Donahue, Wood and Loving from 1979 to 2002.

Judge Wood earned his Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis.

JUDGE ELENA J. DUARTE

was appointed to the Sacramento Superior Court in May 2008. Before her appointment, Judge Duarte served as a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court since April 2007. She previously served

as an assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce from 1994 to 2007 in the Sacramento and Los Angeles offi ces and was a trial attorney in the criminal division for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. from 1992 to 1994.

Judge Duarte earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

Judicial Appointments

a deputy attorney general

L i f 1979 t 2002

wthSMhJaLSAp

as an assistant U S attor


11

Commissioner Marjorie Koller

attended Lincoln Law School while

working for the Sacramento Sheriff’s

Department. She graduated in 1989 and was admitted

to the bar that same year. Prior to

her appointment, Commissioner Koller served as a trial attorney

in the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Offi ce for 18 years. During that time she

worked in the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit, Career Criminal Unit, Domestic Violence

Unit, Major Narcotics and spent over three years in the Homicide Bureau. Her last four

years with the District Attorney’s Offi ce were spent as a Supervising District Attorney.

Commissioner Kenneth Brody

received his Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University

and his Juris Doctorate from

McGeorge School of Law, where he

graduated in 1992. He served as an Assistant Public Defender for a year prior to his appointment as Commissioner. He also

maintained a private practice specializing in criminal defense for six years and from 1994 to

2000 he was the managing partner in the law fi rm of Brody & Hughes, specializing in criminal

defense and family law.

served as a trial attorney

Commissioner Russell Detrick received his Juris Doctorate from the McGeorge School of Law. Prior to becoming Court Commissioner, he served as Deputy District Attorney for the Sacramento County District

Attorney’s Offi ce, working in a variety of trial and supervisory assignments, since 1985.

efender for a year prior to

CRrDMobCsDfC

Attorney’s Office working in

NEW COMMISSIONERS


12

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AWARD

In May 2008, Presiding Judge James M. Mize and the court’s executive team announced

the recipients of the 3rd annual Outstanding Performance Award. The purpose of the

award is to recognize and honor employees who achieve and maintain excellent work

performance.

2008 Recipients

Stephanie Dang

Michael Lopez

Joseph Lucas

Serra Mentessi

Awards and Recognition

ients

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JUDGE KENNETH G. PETERSON NAMED JUVENILE COURT JUDGE OF THE YEAR

On March 18, 2008, Kenneth G. Peterson, the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court was named the 2008 Wilmont Sweeney Juvenile Court Judge of the Year by the Juvenile Court Judges of California. Judge Peterson received the award at the state’s annual Juvenile Court Institute in Long Beach.


JUDGE EMILY E. VASQUEZ RECEIVES THE ROSE BIRD MEMORIAL AWARD

The California Women Lawyers named Judge Emily Vasquez the eighth recipient of the Rose Bird Memorial Award. This award honors judges for judicial excellence, groundbreaking public service,

and inspiration to California women lawyers. The award is named in memory of former Chief Justice Rose Bird, the fi rst female Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.

JUDGE JAMES L. LONG RECEIVES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Judge Long received the Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award at the ninth annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Dinner on

January, 12, 2008.

aTJo

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and inspiration to California wom

Supreme Court.

13

JUDGE TALMADGE JONES NAMED A HERO OF HUMAN SERVICE

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the Human Services Coordinating Council honored Judge Jones with a Hero of Human Service Award in November 2007. This was the fi rst annual event celebrating Heroes of

Human Service.


14

Sacramento County’s fi rst courtroom was located at the corner of 2nd & J Streets in Old

Sac., above the Wells Fargo Offi ce.

The California Supreme Court convened here as well.

Sacramento County’s second courthouse was constructed on the same corner as the fi rst courthouse at 7th & I Streets.

It was torn down to make room for the County’s Main Jail in 1965.

Sacramento County’s fi rst Courthouse was also used as the county prison, offi ces for the state controller and treasurer,

and as the State Capitol with senate chamber and assembly rooms. The state rented it for $12,000/year, until the current Capitol building was completed in 1874.

This County Courthouse was destroyed by fi re in 1910.

strstrrstrrucuuuctu ed on the same cornerstrsttstrstr

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ThThTh

Our History

1913

1901

1850


15

Municipal & Superior

Courts were consolidated in Sacramento County.

Pile driving foundation for new courthouse. Palm Trees on 8th St.

formally stood in front of Lafayette Apartment building which was demolished. The current courthouse at 720

9th Street. In 2002 this building was rededicated and named Gordon D. Schaber

Sacramento County Courthouse

The Carol Miller Justice Center was completed at

Power Inn Road and Folsom Blvd. to house the Traffi c and Small Claims

proceedings.

Sacramento’s New Juvenile Courthouse is located adjacent

to the old B.T. Collins Juvenile Center (which was built in 1960) at 9601 Kiefer Blvd.

The William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse was built

at 3341 Power Inn Road where Family Law, Juvenile Dependency and Probate matters

are heard.

PiPilillee ddrrivvininggg ffooundunddatia on for n

TheThehe cuuurreeent couurthrtthhouse at 720

Thhhh Willi R Rid FF iiili

TThThTheT CCaCaCaCC rol MMMiiM llllllelll r Jusststicce

JuvenileSacramentnnto’sss NeeN www Jw

19621965

1990

1999

2005

1992


16

O U R C O U R T O U R CC O M M U N I T YC O M M U

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CABINET:

Presiding Judge, Court Exec. Offi cer, Sheriff, District Attorney, Public Defender, Chief

Probation Offi cer, Confl ict Criminal Defenders Exec. Director, City of Sacramento Chief of Police And City Manager, County Executive

Administrator of Countywide Services Agency, local government and numerous

social services agencies.

CIVIL SELF-HELP CENTER:

Voluntary Legal Services Program

PROP. 36 DRUG COURT:

SacCounty Alcohol and OD Services Division

Gordon DSacramento Cou

Juvenil

William R. RidgewayFamily Relations Courthouse

SELF-HELP CENTER

2-1-1 Sacramento Community-Services

Planning Council

PRO BONO MEDIATION:

Volunteer Attorneys & Mental Health Professionals

PRO BONO ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

Volunteer Panel of Attys.

FAMILY LAW AND PROBATE SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

Volunteer Attorneys asPro Tem Judges

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER

WORKSHOPS:

WEAVE

ADOPTION DAY COMMITTEE:

Soroptomists and other community volunteers

CUSTODY SUB-COMMITTEE:

Mental Health professionals and attorneys.

LIAISON CMTE:

Family Law Exec. Cmte. Of the Bar

TRI-COURT COMMITTEE:

Child Protective Services, County Counsel and FL,

Probate and Juvenile Courts representatives

ITTEE:

DEPT. OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES/COURT COMMITTEE:

Policies, procedures, planning collaborative

O BONO MEDIATION:

PROBATE BENCH/BAR COMMITTEE:

Probate and Estate Planning Committee Of Sacramento Bar Association

DEPENDENCY COURT:

Court Appointed Special Advocates

EARLY INTERVENTION FAMILY DRUG COURT:

Department of Health & Human Services, STARS, Another Choice/ Another

Chance

VENTION

JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS & PROGRAMS COURT COMMITTEE:

Collaborative planning with justice system partners and community-based

organizations

TRADING SECRETS CONFERENCE

Juvenile justice partners and Community-based

organizations Planning & Resources

Child Protective Services

Dept. OfHealth & Human

Services

Public Law Library

Dept. Of Human

Assistance

Criminal Confl ictDefenders

County of Sacramento

Public Health

Division

OCIT

International Visitors Program:UC Davis Law School

Professional Fiduciaries

Assoc.

AdultProtective Services

County Counsel

Public Guardian

Service ThroughPartnerships


17

Superior Court of California,

County of Sacramento

O U R C O U R T C O U R T C O M M U N I T YU N I T Y

BENCH/BAR/MEDIA COMMITTEE:

Regional print and broadcast organizations, Sacramento County Bar Association, Judicial Offi cers

BENCH/BAR/MEDIA COMMITTE

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED COURT PLANNING COMMITTEE:

public and community-basedhuman service organizations

and judicial offi cers

MOCK TRIALS & MOOT COURTS:

Center For Youth Citizenship

MENTAL HEALTH COURT:

Dept. of MH, DHHS, Sheriff’s Jail Psychiatric Services, Man Alive, Change Counseling, Elk Grove

School District

. Schaberunty Courthouse

le Court

Carol Miller Justice Center

TRAFFIC VIOLATOR SCHOOL:

California Traffi c Safety Institute

COURT PAYMENT PLAN:

Sacramento County Department of Revenue

and Recovery

COLLECTION PROCESS:

Gulf Coast Services

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Alternative Sentencing Program; Loaves and Fishes Program

VETERANS STAND DOWN:

Veterans Administration and Community Volunteers

SMALL CLAIMS & UNLAWFUL DETAINER MEDIATION SERVICES:

CA. Dept. Of Fair Housing And Employment

CHILDHOOD ILLNESS & INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM:

Sacramento County Dept. of Health and Human Services

C I & I

BUCKLE UP BABY:

Car seat diversion program by Roseville Fire Dept.

SCHOOLS COMMITTEE:

Collaborative planning with Probation, DHHS, Mental Health, Attorney

Groups, Sacramento County Offi ce of

Education, CBO’s

MYOUTHFUL

VISITATION PROGRAM:

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, UC, Davis, Cororner’s

Offi ce

YOUTHFUL

YOUTH COURT:

Center For Youth Citizenship

SCHOOYOUTH COURT:

SAC. COUNTY ALCOHOL & DRUG SERVICES DIVISION:

Collaborative planning partnership with providers and agencies, funding from CA Endowment and Sierra

Health Foundation

Sheriff’sDepartment

Probation Department

Public Defender’s

Offi ce

District Attorney’s

Offi ce

City PoliceDepartments

Judicial Council/

AOC/CJER/CFFCC

Interns and Judicial Admin.

Fellows:CSU,

Sacramento

CHILDREN’S WAITING ROOMS:

Sacramento County Offi ce of Education

Sheriff’s Court

Security Division

NIGHT COURT:

Sac. County Violation of Probation Program

CaliforniaHighway

Patrol

CENTER FOR CORRECTIONAL

ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM:Sheriff’s Work Release Div.


The Sacramento Superior Court fi les hundreds of thousands of new cases each year. Fiscal

Year 2007-2008 saw a slight drop in the number of new cases fi led, down just over 1%

Court Filings from Fiscal Year 2006-2007. The court has, however, realized an overall increase in new fi lings of over 32% during the past fi ve years.

Case Types No. of new cases fi led

Percent of fi lings

Criminal Felonies 11,317 2.8%

Criminal Misdemeanors (non-traffi c) 21,385 5.4%

Civil Limited 61,104 15.4%

Civil Unlimited 9,043 2.3%

Family Law 22,067 5.6%

Probate/Mental Health 1,899 0.5%

Juvenile Dependency 1,883 0.5%

Juvenile Delinquency (felonies and misdemeanors) 3,627 0.9%

Juvenile Delinquency (non-traffi c infractions and misdemeanors) 5,345 1.3%

Traffi c (adult and juvenile) 238,725 60.1%

Small Claims 8,595 2.2%

Unlawful Detainer 12,487 3.1%

Total Filings 397,477 100.0%

238

8

12

397,

Juvenile Delinquency (felonies and misdemeanors)

Juvenile Delinquency (non-traffi c infractions and misdemeanors)

Traffi c (adult and juvenile)

Small Claims

Unlawful Detainer

Total Filings 3

18


ALLOCATION FY 2007-08 BUDGET AS PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL

Salaries and Benefi ts: 55.18%

Services and Supplies: 23.04%

Security: 16.14%

Fixed Assets: 0.92%

Court Appt Counsel: 3.51%

Other Expenses: 1.21%

Totals 100.00%

Budgeted Positions: 895.15

Court Budget The court’s budget for FY 2007-2008 was

roughly $132 million. Most of it pays for the salaries and benefi ts of the court’s over 895

employees. The remaining budget

funds operating costs, such as supplies and equipment, court reporting, court interpreters, court-appointed counsel, technology/electronic data processing, court facilities, and security.

Totals 100.00%Totals 100.00%

Budgeted Positions: 895.15

19


CALIFORNIA CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CCMS)

In November 2007, the Sacramento Superior Court implemented the California Case Management System (CCMS) in our Civil Division. CCMS is a statewide initiative launched by the Judicial Council to bring the courts together to use one case management system for all case types. A primary goal of the CCMS project is to give court users and the public greater access to court information.

One of the biggest improvements related to the change in case management systems is the replacement of the hardcopy case fi les with a completely electronic court record for civil cases. Effective November 2007, all new civil cases fi led with the court have a completely electronic court record in lieu of a hardcopy printed case fi le. All documents fi led with the court for most civil and probate case types are scanned into the new case management

system. The electronic copy of the document is considered the original document for offi cial record keeping purposes. Documents scanned into the system along with court generated documents like tentative rulings are available on the court’s Internet site (www.saccourt.com) or at the courthouse kiosk for public view.

TRADING SECRETS

The Juvenile Court and its justice partners hosted the 7th Annual Trading Secrets

Conference in November 2007. The conference emphasizes collaboration and cultivation

of cross-agency relationships to share and establish best practices for the Sacramento

County juvenile justice system. The event brings together judicial offi cers, court staff,

law enforcement and probation offi cers, social

workers, mental health and substance abuse counselors, attorneys, juvenile offenders, and

victims of juvenile crime. The goal of these conferences is for the participants to cease

keeping secrets about their particular roles in the juvenile justice system and instead share

with others how their agencies work.

TEAM BUILDING AND COLLABORATIVE TRAINING

Court managers gathered in November 2007 for their fi rst annual Team Building and

Collaborative Training Retreat. This event provided attendees the opportunity to

share their knowledge and expertise with one another.

The Year in ReviewFiscal Year 2007-2008 Highlights

20


This new system also allows the court to post tentative rulings for the weekly Case

Management Program calendars on the court’s Web site. Parties scheduled for matters can

check the court’s Web site after 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the calendar to obtain the

tentative ruling on each case.

CONSERVATOR TRAINING

In November 2007, the court, in conjunction with the Private Professional Fiduciaries

Association, began to hold quarterly workshops, for those persons appointed as a

conservator or who are considering acting as a conservator. They are taught the basics of

conservatorship, including how to assess a care

facility, how to manage a conservatee’s fi nances,

and much more. With each quarterly session,

the number of attendees continues to grow - a

testament to the need for and appreciation of

this kind of training in Sacramento County.

ESSENTIAL PIECE RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The Essential Piece Recognition Program was developed to encourage peers to recognize

each other for positive behaviors and to reinforce that every person is an “essential

piece” of the court’s overall success. The criteria used to nominate an employee must be

in one, or all, of the following categories:

Internal and External Customer Service

Teamwork

Work Ethic

Work Performance

Since the implementation of the program in December 2007, 155 employees have been recognized by their peers. The program reinforces the court’s values and commitment to recognize employees for their continued efforts in service to their co-workers and community.

THE COMPANY STORE

In response to requests from employees and the recommendation of the Recognition Committee, the court established a “Company Store” of various clothing and other items that are “branded” with the Sacramento Superior Court seal.

Items with the court seal are only available for purchase by judicial offi cers and court employees through the ordering process on the in-court Recognition Web site. The court has no fi nancial interest in the company, and, or the sales.

ELECTRONIC TRAFFIC CASE FILES

On January 2, 2008, the Traffi c Division of the Sacramento Superior Court launched the Traffi c Imaging Project and transitioned traffi c fi les from hard copy fi les to imaged fi les. Now, rather than create a hard copy fi le that needs to be

Sacramento County

MPANY STORE

sts from employeesation of the Recognition

establishehing and otth the Sacr

seal are onlial offi cers he orderingion Web sitest in the co

FFIC CASE F

the Traffi c mento Superaffi c Imagied traffi c fi o imaged n create aeds to be

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The new Traffi c Imaging Project will not only save storage space at the Carol Miller Justice Center and Records Retention Center, but also will allow multiple

users to view documents simultaneously and eliminate the need to search for original court fi les as they will be readily accessible from a PC.

21


stored on a shelf in the records area, Traffi c fi les 2008 and later will be created in the

document management system by scanning documents and storing them electronically.

The new Traffi c Imaging Project will not only save storage space at the Carol Miller Justice

Center and Records Retention Center, but also will allow multiple users to view documents

simultaneously and eliminate the need to search for original court fi les as they will be readily accessible from a PC. Also, judicial

offi cers and courtroom clerks can now access case fi les in the courtroom without having to

wait for a case fi le to be pulled.

VIOLATION OF PROBATION IN LIEU NIGHT COURT

On January 14, 2008, the Sacramento Superior Court launched the fi rst Violation of Probation

(VOP) in Lieu Night Court in the State of California with hopes of reducing congested

felony court calendars and main jail overcrowding while holding probationers accountable for

their offenses in Sacramento County.

The project was initiated by District Attorney Jan Scully and endorsed by the Sacramento

County Criminal Justice Cabinet. A coordinated effort led jointly by the District Attorney

and Superior Court, the project involves participation from various justice partner agencies including: Public Defender, Confl ict Criminal Defenders, Probation, and Sheriff. It was approved and partially funded by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.

The cases heard in the night court are VOP petitions in lieu of a new felony complaint. When an offender violates their probation by committing a new felony, the District Attorney has the option to either fi le a new felony case or fi le a petition for VOP in lieu of a new complaint based on specifi c case criteria.

The VOP in lieu process has resulted in decreased felony fi lings which reduce the number of potential preliminary hearings, felony jury trials, and court hearings. Of the total petitions fi led since implementation, 53% of the matters resolved at the fi rst court appearance which results in expedited sentencing and fewer jail days and benefi ts the entire justice system.

nce d at texpenefi t

jury trials, and copetitions fi led sinmatters resolvedwhich results in jail days and ben

Of the total petitions fi led since implementation, 53% of the matters resolved at the fi rst court appearance which results in expedited sentencing and fewer jail

days and benefi ts the entire justice system.

aint. tion by Attorneyny f a neweria.

nthe gs, felony otal 3% of theearance and fewer system.

i 53% f h l d

22


The VOP in lieu night court is innovative, collaborative, effi cient, cost-effective, and

provides the residents of Sacramento County with a more effi cient use of limited resources

without compromising public safety.

PROTECTIVE ORDERS IMAGING SYSTEM

On January 23, 2008, the Sacramento Superior Court implemented a web-based Protective and Restraining Orders Imaging System to

provide improved justice and service to the court and the public. The system was

designed to replace a laborious and manual process and to eliminate delays in sharing critical information on court protective and

restraining orders.

Upon court order, the protective and restraining orders are scanned into the imaging system

by court staff. The system sends an electronic receipt to the local law enforcement agencies advising that a new order exists and provides

immediate access to the order by the court and law enforcement agents. The system

allows court personnel and law enforcement to view and print orders on demand and helps to mitigate the potential issuance of confl icting orders. The new system also benefi ts the court

by eliminating costs associated with mailing and copying orders to local law enforcement agencies.

JUDICIAL INTERN PROGRAM

In February 2008, the court held an orientation for the new Judicial Intern Program. The program, in partnership with California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) provides upper-division level students with a better understanding of the judicial process. The program exposes students, through on-site observation and fi rsthand interaction, to the organization and structure of the court.

The internship gives undergraduates the opportunity to interact with judicial offi cers outside of enrollment in law school. Interns must complete a series of court observations, readings, and attend group brown bags with judges on specifi c topics designed to enhance the curriculum established by CSUS. The program is designed to build upon their education and experience, increasing their chances to pursue further education and careers in law.

SELF-HELP CENTER COMPUTER ROOM

February 2008 saw the opening of the Self-Help Computer Room, a service of the court’s Self-Help Center at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. The Self-Help Computer Room houses ten public access

computers that allow customers to fi ll out forms and to access court-

related and other legal Web sites. Providing access to forms

ue further education an

P CENTER COMPUTER RO

saw the opening of the SRoom, a service of the cr at the William R. Ridges Courthouse. The Self-Hm houses ten public accers that allow customersforms and to access co

elated and other legal Wsites. Providing access t

and law enforcement agents. The system allows court personnel and law enforcement

to view and print orders on demand and helps to mitigate the potential issuance of confl icting orders. The new system also benefi ts the court

by eliminating costs associated with mailing and copying orders to local law enforcement agencies.

pp youtside of enrollmust complete areadings, and atwith judges on senhance the curThe program is deducation and echances to purschances to purscareers in law.

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February 2008 sHelp Computer Self-Help CenterFamily RelationsComputer Room

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23


that can be fi lled out via the computer has increased the accuracy of data submitted by customers in family law, domestic violence, and guardianship matters. It has also improved effi ciency for customers attending Domestic Violence Restraining Order and Guardianship workshops at the Self-Help Center and has streamlined internal court processes.

RED LIGHT CAMERA INFRACTION VIDEO

In April 2008, the Traffi c Section installed computers for use during the arraignment process. These computers are a valuable tool in that a defendant may view a 12 second video of the red light infraction as it occurred and was captured by digital video. This greatly reduces the number of cases set for trial and provides the defendant with a clear understanding of the evidence that will be presented at trial.

UKRAINIANS AND RUSSIANS IN COURT

In May 2008, the court, along with funding from the Administrative Offi ce of the Courts’ Regional Trial Court Opportunity Award, created a docudrama, “Justice in America,” designed to explore the interactions of Ukrainian and Russian immigrants with our court. The goals of this project are two-fold: 1) to assist our staff to better understand the context from which Ukrainian and Russian customers come to the court; and 2) to enable our Ukrainian and Russian court customers to have a much better, more positive experience with the court. In addition to the video, a Web site was also developed that is accessible to staff and court customers. The Web site (www.immigrantsincourt.com) includes the “Justice in America” video, a learning center where users can learn more about Ukrainians and Russians, information about Sacramento Superior Court, and related links.

24


ADOPTION DAY

Over 100 adoptions were fi nalized on National Adoption Day in November 2007. The Juvenile Dependency Court, along with representatives

from the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services Adoptions

Program, Soroptimist International of Greater Sacramento, Sacramento County Sheriff’s

Department, and Lilliput Children’s Services, hosted a celebratory event for the families

that included refreshments, family photos, and activities for the children.

VETERANS STAND DOWN

In September 2007, Judge Delbert Oros and Commissioner Ana Bravo, along with court

staff volunteers and volunteers from the District Attorney’s Offi ce

and the Public Defender’s Offi ce,

worked together to get veterans’

cases researched, negotiated, and

on calendar to be heard and

resolved in court. This event allows

veterans to resolve select traffi c and criminal cases for a reduced community service

sentence. During this two-day event, veterans can also obtain services from the Department

of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Human Assistance; obtain legal advice – even

get a haircut and a dental checkup!

Community OutreachJUDICIAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM

In January 2007, the court’s Community-Focused Court Planning Committee implemented the Judicial Community Outreach Program. The program was developed to enhance community collaboration by making judicial offi cers available to attend or speak at various events and functions.

Judicial offi cers participate in numerous events to help demystify the role of judges and the judicial process and at the same time maintain their responsibility covered in the Canons of Judicial Ethics. In 2007-2008 judges participated in various educational seminars at the Sacramento County Public Law Library covering topics such as: Judicial Perspective: Weighing the Credibility & Competency of an Expert Witness, The Court System-Who Are the Players & What Do They Do?

Judicial offi cers spoke at adoption support groups to familiarize participants with the legal aspect of adoption including the process of reunifi cation and the fi nalization of adoption. They also continue to speak in Sacramento County Bar Association events, as well as “Youth and the Law” forums.

The Judicial Community Outreach Program continues to work toward keeping the lines of communication between the court and the community open. For more information about the program, contact the court’s Public Information Offi cer at (916) 591-0050.

nity Outreach Programward keeping the lines etw. Fooutt thatio

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25

ve select traffic and criminal


The Grand Jury is a panel comprised of nineteen members of the community -

impaneled annually for a one year term of service. What distinguishes a grand jury from

a regular trial jury is that it does not hear cases in a courtroom. Instead, jurors review and investigate local

governmental activities within Sacramento

County. The Grand Jury examines county and city

governments, schools,

LAW DAY

May 1, 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of Law Day. This year’s theme was The Rule

of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity. Sacramento Superior

Court participated in this year’s Law Day celebration in a number of ways:

Enhanced community collaborative partnership with California State University, Sacramento for Judicial Internship Program

students to sponsor Law Day activities on campus.

Sponsored a Law Day Art Contest and encouraged employees to express this year’s Law Day theme in multi-media.

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS PROGRAM

Through this program the court hosts judges, court administrators, and students from various

countries. This program gives these visitors the opportunity to view the operations of the Sacramento Superior Court and to learn how

our legal system operates. International visitors get a fi rst-hand look at our court and can make

comparisons with their own legal system. In some instances, the visits have resulted in implementation of some of our operational

functions in their systems.

The UC Davis Law School has worked in conjunction with our courts to assist the international law students in gaining a better understanding of our court system. The law school has given these students assignments that require them to observe different types of

courtrooms, to speak with judges, and to visit court administrative units.

International visitors from Japan, Austria and Russia have been given the opportunity to meet with the court’s trial judges and observe at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse (downtown) and the Lorenzo E. Patiño Hall of Justice (Jail).

For more information on this program, please contact the Judicial Services Offi cer at (916) 874-5497.

Grand Juryand special districts to ensure that its duties are lawfully being carried out. Investigations are conducted and the results are documented in a Final Report, issued each June.

Grand Juries are crucial components of California’s justice system. As such, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed February 2008 as “California Grand Jury Awareness Month.”

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26


Youth Court – Youth Court is a partnership between The Center for Youth Citizenship,

the Probation Department, the Offi ces of the District Attorney, the Public Defender, and the

court. Local high school students determine the consequences to be imposed on juvenile

offenders for low-level offenses.

Domestic Violence Home Court – Defendants with domestic violence charges and any

other criminal matters appear in this court for hearings and disposition of all cases. The

court was designed to enhance defendant accountability and improve victim safety.

Drug Court – The fi rst collaborative justice court in Sacramento designed to address the

specifi c needs of certain nonviolent criminal drug offenses.

Early Intervention Family Drug Court – This drug court is a collaborative venture of the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services and the Sacramento

Superior Court. The goal is to preserve families by engaging the parents of newborns (where

the mother and/or child were positive for illicit substance at the time of birth) in treatment and

support programs.

Delinquency Drug Court Program – This early intervention court is for minors whose substance abuse harms their family, social,

and school functioning. The program targets non-violent juvenile offenders at the earliest

stages of their Delinquency case. The program stresses treatment, education, and counseling

along with case management and judicial supervision.

Dependency Drug Court Program – This drug court targets parents whose children have been removed from

their home because of parent substance abuse issues and is a collaborative effort among the Juvenile Court, Child Protective Services,

Alcohol and Drug Services Division, County Counsel, attorneys for parents and children, and the Special Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS). The design of the STARS programs is to provide treatment for substance abuse and increase the number of reunifi ed families.

PC 1000 Drug Diversion Program – This drug court program is designed for fi rst-time nonviolent drug offenders who defer entry of judgment for 18 to 36 months pending the completion of a certifi ed 20-hour drug program.

Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (Prop 36) – Substance abuse treatment is offered to adults convicted of nonviolent drug possession offenses instead of incarceration.

Loaves and Fishes Calendar – This calendar is for those suffering from homelessness and are charged with low-level misdemeanors.

Sacramento County Mental Health Court – One of the newest of Sacramento’s collaborative justice courts, the Mental Health Court became operational on February 14, 2007

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with the specifi c design to target incarcerated criminal offenders utilizing Jail Psychiatric

Services. Members of this collaborative court include the Sacramento Superior Court and the

following Sacramento County Departments: Sacramento County Sheriff (Jail Psychiatric

Services), Probation, District Attorney, Public Defender, and the Department of Health and Human Services (Division of Mental Health).

In addition to reduction in cost to the criminal justice system, the Sacramento Mental Health

Division reported that the program impacts translate to an improved quality of life for the

clients enrolled.

Sacramento County Criminal Justice Cabinet - The Sacramento County Criminal Justice Cabinet was created and established in 1992 as a forum for addressing criminal justice issues and policies on a coordinated basis. Its mission is to establish cohesive juvenile and adult criminal justice system policies based on research, evaluation and monitoring, to identify system defi ciencies, and implement plans and programs for change when opportunities present themselves. In addition, the cabinet communicates and presents planning, fi nancial, operational, managerial and programmatic recommendations to the agencies represented on the Cabinet.

Members include the Presiding Judges of the Superior and Juvenile Courts, the Superior Court Executive Offi cer, the Sheriff, the District Attorney, the Public Defender, the Chief Probation Offi cer, the Executive Director of the Confl ict Criminal Defenders, the City of Sacramento Chief of Police and City Manager, the County Executive, the Administrator of the Countywide Services Agency, local government and numerous social services agencies.

28


Jurors now have free, high-speed wireless Internet access while waiting in the Juror

Assembly Room pending assignment to their respective courtrooms for trial.

The Internet is available through any of four different access points on the second fl oor of the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County

Courthouse (Downtown) where summoned jurors may connect while waiting either in the Juror

Assembly Room or surrounding hallway via their laptop, PDA, and 802.11b/g cable devices.

The Interpreter Services offi ce is located at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse (Downtown) and provides court-qualifi ed interpreters in Criminal, Traffi c, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Dependency, and certain Family Law proceedings.

For more information about Interpreter Services, call (916) 874-8455.

Jury Services

Interpreter Services

The Internet is available through any of four

JURY FAST FACTS

TtCqJa

S

Employed 27 court interpreters on staff.

Hired 95 contract interpreters.

Provided interpreters for 47 different languages.

Provided 74,675 total interpretations. This is an increase of over 12% from last year.

INTERPRETER SERVICES FAST FACTS FOR FY 2007-2008:

29

The term of jury service has changed from once every 12 months to once every 18 months.

Number of prospective Sacramento County Jurors summoned each week: 5,800.

Number of jury trials in fi scal year 07-08: 710


30

CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURTS

Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse

720 Ninth StreetSacramento, CA 95814

(916) 874-5522

Lorenzo E. Patiño Hall of Justice651 I Street

Sacramento, CA 95814(916) 874-6936

CIVIL

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Arbitration and Mediation · Civil Law and Motion · Civil Settlement Conference · Civil Self-Help Center · Case Management Program

CRIMINAL

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Pretrial Services · Drug Court · Substance Abuse Treatment Court – Proposition 36 · Drug Diversion

Court Locations

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GORDON D. SCHABER SACRAMENTO COUNTY COURTHOUSE

LORENZO E. PATIÑO HALL OF JUSTICE

CAROL MILLER JUSTICE CENTER

ON RAMP/OFF RAMP OR JUNCTION

B.T. COLLINS JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER

WILLIAM R. RIDGEWAY FAMILY RELATIONS COURTHOUSE


31

Western Corrections Diversion Program · Mental Health Court · Loaves and Fishes Calendar · Domestic Violence Court · Violation of Probation (Night) Court

FAMILY LAW, PROBATE, JUVENILE DEPENDENCY COURTS

William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse3341 Power Inn RoadSacramento, CA 95826(916) 875-3400

FAMILY LAW

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Family Settlement Conference · Family Law Facilitator’s Offi ce · Self-Help Center/Computer Room ·2-1-1 Sacramento · Family Court ServicesResource Referral Program · DV Restraining Orders/Workshops · Department of Child Support Services · Pro Bono Assistance Program · Pro Bono Mediation Program

DEPENDENCY

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Mediation Services ·Dependency Drug Court · Court Appointed Special Advocates · Early Intervention Family Drug Court

PROBATE

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Probate Clinic/Self-Help Mediation Services · Settlement Conference

TRAFFIC, SMALL CLAIMS, UNLAWFUL DETAINER COURTS

Carol Miller Justice Center301 Bicentennial CircleSacramento, CA 95826(916) 875-7354

TRAFFIC

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Traffi c Violator School Services · ePay-it Online Citation Payments

SMALL CLAIMS

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · E-fi ling Services ·Mediation · Small Claims Advisory Clinic

UNLAWFUL DETAINER

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · E-fi ling Services ·Mediation Services · Unlawful Detainer Legal Services

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY COURT

B.T. Collins Juvenile Justice Center9605 Kiefer BoulevardSacramento, CA 95827(916) 876-7753

Public Service · Courtroom Support · Records Management · Informal Juvenile Court (non-traffi c infractions and misdemeanors) ·Delinquency Drug Court · Truancy Court ·Youth Court

32

With gratitude and appreciation to every person who contributed to this publication. The input received from court community members at all levels represents the spirit of collaboration we strive to foster in serving our public.

Acknowledgements:

Production: Communications and Community Outreach

Design and Publishing: Winter Graphics North, Sacramento


Executive Offi ce, 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 874-5522 www.saccourt.com

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