GOOD MORNING. WE WOULD LIKE TO
CALL THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE
JUDICIARY TO ORDER. THIS IS A
JOINT CONVENTION OF THE
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE ON BEHALF
OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE
AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE
ASSEMBLY, REPRESENTED BY THE
HONORABLE SPEAKER OF THE
ASSEMBLY, ROBERT RIVAS. AND TO
ALL OF THE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, WE
WELCOME YOU TO THE CALIFORNIA
STATE CAPITOL. WE'RE JOINED
TODAY BY DEDICATED MEMBERS OF
THE LEGISLATURE, AND WE WANT TO
SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON
BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF
CALIFORNIA. AND WE'RE HONORED
THAT JUDGES AND JUSTICES FROM
ALL 58 COUNTIES REPRESENTING THE
GOLDEN STATE'S JUDICIAL JUDICIAL
SYSTEM ARE IN ATTENDANCE. IF WE
COULD HAVE ALL OF THE JUDGES AND
JUSTICES WHO ARE HERE, CAN WE
PLEASE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE? AND IF YOU COULD
PLEASE RISE AND LET'S GIVE THEM
A WARM WELCOME AND SAY THANK YOU
FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL
GUESTS WITH US TODAY. IF WE
COULD PLEASE GIVE A WARM WELCOME
TO THE 40TH GOVERNOR OF THE
GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA, MR.
GAVIN NEWSOM. CAN WE PLEASE
WELCOME OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR,
ELENI KOUNALAKIS? THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL IS IN THE HOUSE. CAN WE
PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
FOR MR. ROB BONTA? CAN WE PLEASE
WELCOME OUR SECRETARY OF STATE,
MISS SHIRLEY WEBER? REPRESENTING
THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, CAN
WE PLEASE GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO
BOARD MEMBER SALLY LIEBER? AT
THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO ASK
THE MEMBERS, THE MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE AND ALL OF OUR
GUESTS, BEYOND THE RAIL AND IN
THE GALLERY TO PLEASE RISE.
PLEASE RISE. AT THIS TIME, WE'RE
GOING TO BE LED IN PRAYER THIS
MORNING BY THE ASSISTANT
MAJORITY LEADER, SENATOR ASHBY.
AFTER WHICH WE'RE GOING TO ASK
EACH OF YOU TO PLEASE REMAIN
STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE, WHICH WILL BE LED
THIS MORNING BY ASSISTANT
MAJORITY LEADER, SENATOR WAHAB.
SENATOR ASHBY, THE FLOOR IS
YOURS. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
AND OUR PRO TEM. THOSE WHO DO
JUSTICE WILL SHINE LIKE THE
STARS FOR ALL OF ETERNITY. FROM
THE BOOK OF DANIEL. GRACIOUS GOD
OF JUSTICE AND MERCY, WE GIVE
YOU THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMBERS
OF OUR JUDICIARY WHO DAILY SEEK
TO BRING TRUTH AND FAIRNESS TO
THE PROFESSION THAT IS THEIR
CALLING BY THE INTEGRITY OF
THEIR WORK. MAY OUR SOCIETY
WITNESS THEIR DISCERNMENT,
COURAGE AND COMPASSION AS THEY
OVERTHROW BARRIERS OF
DISCRIMINATION AND REPAIR THE
IMPACTS OF OPPRESSION AND
EXPLOITATION WITHIN THE HUMAN
FAMILY. WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR
GENEROSITY IN ENSURING FREEDOM,
RESPECT, AND A GROWING TRUST IN
A POPULACE THAT IS FALLIBLE AND
EASILY DISCOURAGED. MAY THEY BE
PERSONS WHOSE CLARITY OF VISION
AND COMMITMENTS OF CONSCIENCE
LEAD ALL OF US TO BE DUTIFUL AND
VIGILANT CITIZENS, CONTRIBUTING
TO THE WHOLENESS OF THE COMMON
LIFE WE ALL SHARE, AND MAY THE
EFFECTS OF THEIR DECISIONS
ULTIMATELY BE EXPERIENCED AS
YOUR LAW OF LOVE, BALANCING
JUSTICE AND MERCY. WE ASK THIS
IN YOUR NAME. AMEN. AMEN. THANK
YOU SO MUCH, SENATOR ASHBY.
WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU ALL TO
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING. WE'RE
NOW GOING TO RECOGNIZE SENATOR
WAHAB. PLEASE JOIN ME. PROUDLY,
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT
STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. YOU MAY BE SEATED. THANK
YOU ALL. MEMBERS OF THE
ASSEMBLY, MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE SENATE
RULES ARE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW
GUESTS ON THE FLOOR TODAY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
LEGISLATURE, THE FOLLOWING
SENATORS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE ESCORT
COMMITTEE TO ADVANCE CHIEF
JUSTICE GUERRERO TO THE ROSTRUM.
WE'RE GOING TO RESPECTFULLY
REQUEST SENATORS UMBERG, ARAGON,
RICHARDSON AND VALLADARES TO
PLEASE MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE
BACK OF THE CHAMBERS. WE'RE ALSO
GOING TO ASK ASSEMBLY MEMBERS.
CHOLERA, STEPHANIE EL HARARI AND
DIXON TO PLEASE MAKE THEIR WAY
TO THE BACK OF THE CHAMBERS IN
60S. WE'RE GOING TO ADVANCE THE
CHIEF JUSTICE FOR THE STATE
SUPREME COURT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ALL RISE,
AND LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE AND A WARM WELCOME TO
CHIEF JUSTICE PATRICIA GUERRERO
OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SUPREME
COURT.
AND. THANK YOU. YOU ALL MAY BE
SEATED. IT WAS 175 YEARS AGO
THIS MONTH, 175 YEARS AGO, THAT
THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT
CONVENED FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT
WAS JUST A FEW SHORT MONTHS
BEFORE THE GOLDEN STATE WAS
ADMITTED TO OUR UNION. AND THE
INTERVENING YEARS, THE COURT HAS
HELPED CHART THE GOLDEN STATE TO
BE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN
PART OF MANY MOMENTOUS DECISIONS
THAT HAVE CHANGED THE LIVES OF
MILLIONS FOR BETTER UPHOLDING
THE STATE'S ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.
THE COURT WAS AN EARLY VOICE IN
SUPPORT OF INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE,
AND IN 2008, THEY ADVANCED THE
DECISION THAT SEXUAL ORIENTATION
IS A PROTECTED CLASS, AND IT
COULD BE SAID THAT THE STATE
SUPREME COURT'S ROLE IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN EVER. THE ROLE OF
A THOUGHTFUL, INDEPENDENT
JUDICIARY IS VITAL, VITAL TO A
FREE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC THAT
THIS NATION'S FOUNDERS SO
PROUDLY ESTABLISHED. AND IT'S
THIS JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE THAT
SEPARATES THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA FROM THE REST OF THE
FREE WORLD. THE COURT, INCLUDING
OUR VERY OWN. THE COURTS PROTECT
THE WEAK, PROTECT THE WEAK FROM
THE POWERFUL, THE PEOPLE FROM
HARM. THE COURTS PROTECT THE
MINORITY FROM THE MAJORITY. AND
THEIR JOB ISN'T TO BE POPULAR.
THEIR JOB ISN'T TO BE POLITICAL.
THEIR JOB IS TO BE ABLE TO
ENFORCE THE RULE OF LAW WITHOUT
INFLUENCE OR INTIMIDATION. AND
IT'S CLEAR THAT THE STATE
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES WHO ARE
WITH US TODAY TAKE THIS
OBLIGATION SERIOUSLY AND WITHOUT
RESERVATION. NOW, SPEAKING OF
OUR SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE
JUSTICES, IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO
BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE EACH AND
EVERY ONE OF THEM. I'M GOING TO
ASK THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICES TO
PLEASE STAND AS I INDIVIDUALLY
INTRODUCE YOU, AND I'M GOING TO
ASK YOU TO REMAIN STANDING UNTIL
WE'VE INTRODUCED THE ENTIRE
BENCH. CAN WE PLEASE GIVE A
ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO JUSTICE
CAROL CORRIGAN? CAN WE GIVE A
ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO JUSTICE
GOODWIN LIU? CAN WE PLEASE
WELCOME JUSTICE JOSHUA GROBAN?
AND A WARM WELCOME TO JUSTICE
MARTIN JENKINS? CAN WE PLEASE
WELCOME JUSTICE KELLY EVANS?
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE, A
ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE STATE
SUPREME COURT.
NOW, WHEN SHE ADDRESSED THE
LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR, CHIEF
JUSTICE GUERRERO EMPHASIZED THAT
ONE OF HER PRIORITIES, ONE OF
HER PRIORITIES, WAS THE NEED TO
ENHANCE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE
JUDICIARY. MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE,
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WORK,
AND WE KNOW IT'S NEEDED NOW MORE
THAN EVER. TO BE ABLE TO
INTRODUCE OUR CHIEF JUSTICE FOR
HER REMARKS, I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR
NEIGHBOR FROM ACROSS THE ROTUNDA
A GOOD FRIEND. I'M GRATEFUL FOR
HIS PARTNERSHIP, HIS WORK ON
BEHALF OF THE 40 MILLION PEOPLE
OF CALIFORNIA. CAN WE PLEASE
WELCOME TO THE ROSTRUM A ROUND
OF APPLAUSE FOR SPEAKER ROBERT
RIVAS. AND GOOD MORNING, AND
THANK YOU. SENATE PRESIDENT PRO
TEM MCGUIRE AND GOVERNOR NEWSOM.
OUR OUR DISTINGUISHED STATEWIDE
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, HONORED
GUESTS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
ON ON THIS IMPORTANT DAY. AND
TODAY, WE RECOGNIZE THE
ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT OUR COURTS
AND THAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM PLAY
IN SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY AND
UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW AND
ENSURING EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FOR EVERY SINGLE CALIFORNIAN.
OUR STATE'S JUDICIARY, THE THIRD
BRANCH OF OUR STATE GOVERNMENT,
IS THE LARGEST IN THE NATION,
SERVING OVER 40 MILLION PEOPLE
EACH YEAR. OUR EXTENSIVE COURT
SYSTEM HEARS MORE THAN 10,000
CASES, SIGNIFICANTLY OUTPACING
THE FEDERAL COURTS AND
PROFOUNDLY, PROFOUNDLY
INFLUENCING JURISPRUDENCE ACROSS
THE UNITED STATES. OUR COURTS,
THEY DESERVE OUR DEEPEST
RESPECT, ESPECIALLY AMONGST
THESE THESE TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
AND CHALLENGE. IT REMAINS A
STEADFAST GUARDIAN OF JUSTICE
AND DEMONSTRATING RESILIENCE,
INTEGRITY AND UNWAVERING
DEDICATION TO ETHICAL
PRINCIPLES. AND CLEARLY IN AN
AREA IN AN ERA OF CRITICAL
NATIONAL DISCOURSE ABOUT OUR
RIGHTS AND OUR LIBERTIES, THE
WORK OF OUR COURTS AND THEIR
DEDICATED PERSONNEL AND STAFF IS
MORE VITAL THAN EVER. AND NOW IT
IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE AN
OUTSTANDING LEADER, A WOMAN WHO
EMBODIES THE VERY BEST OF
CALIFORNIA'S JUDICIAL JUDICIAL
EXCELLENCE. BORN AND RAISED IN
CALIFORNIA'S IMPERIAL VALLEY AS
THE DAUGHTER OF MEXICAN
IMMIGRANTS, SHE MADE HISTORY IN
JANUARY OF 2023 BY BECOMING THE
FIRST LATINA CHIEF JUSTICE OF
CALIFORNIA. WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE.
WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN HER
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, IN HER
LEADERSHIP AND IN HER VISION FOR
THE FUTURE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN
WARMLY WELCOMING THE 29TH CHIEF
JUSTICE OF CALIFORNIA, CHIEF
JUSTICE PATRICIA. GUERRERO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
THANK. YOU. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK
YOU. SENATOR. SENATE PRESIDENT
PRO TEM MCGUIRE. SPEAKER RIVAS
DISTINGUISHED STATEWIDE
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND
GUESTS. AND, OF COURSE, GOVERNOR
NEWSOM, THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER MY STATE
OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS TO A
JOINT SESSION OF THE CALIFORNIA
STATE LEGISLATURE. I'M VERY
PROUD TO BE JOINED ONCE AGAIN BY
MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT AND OUR
CEO AND COURT STAFF, JUSTICES,
JUDGES AND COURT EXECUTIVES FROM
LOCAL COURTS AROUND THE STATE,
MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL,
THE CALIFORNIA JUDGES
ASSOCIATION, AND THE BENCH BAR
COALITION, AND OUR JUSTICE
SYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS AND
PARTNERS. MUCH HAS HAPPENED
SINCE I ADDRESSED YOU LAST YEAR.
I DECIDED TO START WITH AN
UNDERSTATEMENT. IN MARCH OF LAST
YEAR, I EMPHASIZED THE JUDICIAL
BRANCHES PRIORITY WITH RESPECT
TO ADVOCATING FOR A STABLE
BUDGET THAT THE COURTS CAN COUNT
ON TO MAKE PUBLIC ACCESS TO
JUSTICE A REALITY IN ALL 58
COUNTIES IN MAY, WE WERE THEN
FACED WITH $97 MILLION IN
REDUCTIONS AT THE TRIAL COURT
LEVEL, AND THE PROSPECT OF UP TO
7.95% REDUCTIONS FOR OTHER PARTS
OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH. I
EXPRESS THE JUDICIAL BRANCHES
COMMITMENT TO DOING OUR PART TO
ADDRESS THE STATE BUDGET
DEFICIT, WHILE WORKING
DILIGENTLY TO MITIGATE AND
MANAGE THE IMPACTS TO THE COURTS
AND TO THE PUBLIC OF THIS
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET
CUTS. IT WAS DEFINITELY
CHALLENGING. OUR COURTS FOUND
EFFICIENCIES, BUT ALSO HAD TO
IMPLEMENT SOME TOUGH SOLUTIONS.
NECESSARY ACTIONS INCLUDED
CLOSING COURTROOMS AND
COURTHOUSES, IMPLEMENTING SOME
FORM OF FURLOUGHS, AND REDUCING
HOURS FOR SELF-HELP AND CLERK'S
OFFICE SERVICES. BUT WE
APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO
MAINTAIN AN ONGOING DIALOG WITH
OUR SISTER BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE DETAILS
OF OUR BUDGET. AND I'M PLEASED
TO SAY THAT FOLLOWING THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET IN
JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, COURTS
HAVE REPORTED THAT THE PARTIALLY
RESTORED FUNDING SHOULD HELP BY
REDUCING HIRING FREEZES AND
DELAYS, REDUCING SERVICE
IMPACTS, AND PREVENTING,
ELIMINATING OR SCALING BACK ON
PLANNED FURLOUGHS. BUT
UNFORTUNATELY, THANK YOU.
THERE'S THE THANK. YOU. NOW THE
DOWNSIDE, UNFORTUNATELY, MUCH
UNCERTAINTY REMAINS.
NONETHELESS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED
TO WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
ADMINISTRATION AND TO THE
LEGISLATURE IN THE COMING MONTHS
AS PLANS FOR THE BUDGET ACT ARE
FINALIZED. WE KNOW AND
APPRECIATE THAT YOU ALL FACE
HARD CHOICES AND THAT YOU WEIGH
COMPETING DEMANDS FOR SCARCE
RESOURCES AS YOU REVIEW THE
PROPOSED BUDGET. IT IS OUR HOPE
THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP
IN MIND THE FUNDAMENTAL REASON
WE SEEK OUR SHARE OF THE BUDGET,
THE MISSION, AS YOU HEARD OF THE
JUDICIAL BRANCH, IS TO RESOLVE
DISPUTES AND TO INTERPRET AND
APPLY THE LAW CONSISTENTLY,
IMPARTIALLY AND INDEPENDENTLY TO
PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
GUARANTEED BY BOTH THE FEDERAL
AND STATE CONSTITUTION. AND WE
SEEK TO DO SO IN A FAIR,
ACCESSIBLE, EFFECTIVE AND
EFFICIENT MANNER. WE NEED
FUNDING TO PROPERLY FULFILL THIS
SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY AS A
CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT,
TO SAFEGUARD THE CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF ALL
CALIFORNIANS. IN MY THIRD YEAR
AS CHIEF JUSTICE, I'M ENERGIZED
TO BE DRIVING FORWARD WITH THE
CONVICTION OF MY OWN SWORN OATH
TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE.
CONSTITUTION'S GUIDED, AS ALL OF
OUR JUDGES ARE, BY A DEDICATION
TO THE RULE OF LAW AND INSPIRED
BY THE DESIRE TO GIVE BACK, TO
DELIVER EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS. WE, OF
COURSE, DO NOT DO OUR WORK ON
BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC ALONE. I
WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT
IT IS THAT ALL THREE BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT ARE HERE TOGETHER
TODAY. THIS REFLECTS OUR
COMMITMENT TO WORK
COLLABORATIVELY WITH CIVILITY
AND WITH MUTUAL RESPECT ON
BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE
SERVE. OUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE
INFORMED BY AN UNDERSTANDING OF
OUR DISTINCT ROLES AND DUTIES,
PROTECTED BY THE CHECKS AND
BALANCES INHERENT IN OUR
DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT,
AND STRENGTHENED BY OUR PERSONAL
COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW. I
KNOW THAT YOU SHARE THAT
COMMITMENT. I'VE HAD THE
PRIVILEGE OF ADMINISTERING OATHS
OF OFFICE TO MANY PUBLIC
SERVANTS, INCLUDING MANY OF YOU
HERE TODAY. THE OATHS WE TAKE
REPRESENT THE KEY PILLARS OF OUR
CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY, AS WE
AFFIRM TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF
CALIFORNIA. THIS FOUNDATION
SUPPORTS A HEALTHY CLIMATE OF
PRODUCTIVE PUBLIC DISCOURSE AND
THOUGHTFUL AND THOROUGH
DELIBERATION ON ISSUES THAT
IMPACT OUR STATE, OUR COUNTIES,
OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR FAMILIES,
AND OTHERS. BECAUSE OF THIS
FOUNDATION OF JUSTICE, NO ONE IS
ABOVE THE LAW. NO ONE IS OUTSIDE
OF THE LAW, AND NO ONE IS
EXCLUDED FROM ITS RIGHTS AND
PROTECTIONS. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. AND SO, WITH THESE
PRINCIPLES IN MIND, I STAND HERE
PROUD TO SAY THAT THE STATE OF
THE JUDICIARY REMAINS STRONG AND
THAT WE'RE READY, WILLING AND
ABLE TO UPHOLD OUR
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PLAY OUR
ROLE TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE WHO
WE SERVE IN CALIFORNIA. I ALSO
SPOKE LAST YEAR OF THREE BRANCH
SOLUTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT
CONCEPT CONTINUES TO BE OF
UTMOST IMPORTANCE. THAT IS WHY I
ENCOURAGE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE
STATE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR LOCAL
SENATORS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO
FOSTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN OUR
TWO BRANCHES, AND I CONTINUE TO
ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO MEET
WITH COURT LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
IN YOUR HOME DISTRICTS, AND TO
EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND THE
SERVICES AND THE ACCESS THAT
THEY PROVIDE TO ALL OF YOUR
CONSTITUENTS. SINCE MY ADDRESS
LAST YEAR, AT LEAST 19
LEGISLATORS SPENT TIME VISITING
NINE LOCAL TRIAL COURTS IN THEIR
DISTRICTS. I WAS PLEASED TO BE
JOINED BY PRESIDENT PRO TEM
MCGUIRE ON A VISIT TO THE
SUPERIOR COURT OF MENDOCINO
COUNTY AND BY SPEAKER RIVAS ON A
VISIT TO THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
MONTEREY COUNTY LAST YEAR. THESE
VISITS CREATE A GREATER
UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONAL
CHALLENGES FACING COURTS AND HOW
COURTS FOCUS ON INNOVATIONS AND
EFFICIENCIES IN ORDER TO BETTER
SERVE THE PUBLIC. YOU WILL ALSO
SEE FIRSTHAND THE GREAT BENEFITS
OF REMOTE PROCEEDINGS. YOU
DIDN'T THINK I WOULD GET THROUGH
THIS WITHOUT MENTIONING REMOTE
PROCEEDINGS. EACH BUSINESS DAY,
MORE THAN 6500 REMOTE HEARINGS
IN BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES
TAKE PLACE IN OUR COURTS, SAVING
COURT USERS AN ESTIMATED 1.5
MILLION TRIPS TO COURTHOUSES
ANNUALLY. REMOTE PROCEEDINGS
HAVE BEEN UNIVERSALLY PRAISED BY
BOTH COURT STAFF AND COURT
USERS, AS BOTH TIME AND COST
SAVERS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
BECAUSE THE OPTION TO APPEAR
REMOTELY GIVES LITIGANTS A
CHOICE ABOUT HOW THEY ACCESS THE
COURT SYSTEM. I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING TO OUR PLEAS FOR AN
EXTENSION OF REMOTE PROCEEDINGS
THROUGH BUDGET TRAILER BILLS. WE
NOW HAVE STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
FOR CRIMINAL AND CIVIL REMOTE
PROCEEDINGS UNTIL JANUARY 1ST,
2027. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
THROUGH YOUR VISITS TO OUR
COURTS, YOU WILL ALSO SEE AND
HEAR FROM DEDICATED JUDGES,
COURT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
ATTORNEYS AND STAFF WHO HELP
MAKE UP THE FACE OF THE
JUDICIARY. THEY ARE TALENTED,
HARD WORKING, DEDICATED PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHO CONSTANTLY RESPOND
TO INCREASING WORKLOAD DEMANDS,
AND I AM PROUD TO SERVE
ALONGSIDE OF THEM. CURRENTLY, WE
HAVE ABOUT 67 JUDICIAL
VACANCIES. I HAD TO UPDATE THE
NUMBER FROM YESTERDAY. WE'RE
GRATEFUL TO THE GOVERNOR AND HIS
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS SECRETARY
FOR THEIR ONGOING WORK TO FILL
THESE VACANCIES, AS WAS RECENTLY
REPORTED WITH NEARLY TWO YEARS
LEFT IN HIS TERM, GOVERNOR
NEWSOM HAS ALREADY APPOINTED 586
JUDGES, INCLUDING 131 IN 2024,
PUTTING HIM ON TRACK TO. YOU
APPLAUDED. THANK YOU. AND HERE'S
THE Kò PUTTING HIM ON TRACK TO
SURPASS PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS.
WE ARE ALL BENEFICIARIES OF
GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S COMMITMENT TO
IDENTIFYING AND APPOINTING
EXCELLENT JUDGES AND LEAVING A
LASTING IMPRINT ON THE
JUDICIARY. THANK YOU GOVERNOR. I
ALSO WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE
PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE LONG OVERDUE
FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE COURT
APPOINTED COUNSEL PROGRAMS FOR
OUR COURTS OF APPEAL AND THE
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT. THEY
SUPPORT AN IMPORTANT NEED TO
PROVIDE EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT AND
EXPERIENCED COUNSEL FOR
APPELLANTS WITH DEATH JUDGMENTS
AND INDIGENT DEFENDANTS ON
APPEAL. THIS FUNDING IS CRITICAL
TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED
COUNSEL AND TO HELP REBUILD THE
STATEWIDE PANEL OF ATTORNEYS
WHOSE WORK IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE
EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF
JUSTICE. AS WITH ALL THE FUNDING
WE RECEIVE, WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE
MUST BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE
RESOURCES WE SEEK AS PART OF OUR
ROLE IN THREE BRANCH SOLUTIONS,
I'M COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY
AND ACCOUNTABILITY. WITH THE
PUBLIC FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE
JUDICIAL BRANCH, COURTS ARE
ENHANCING CASE FLOW MANAGEMENT
AND CASE RESOLUTION FOR THE
WORKLOAD REPORTING THAT WE
PROVIDE TO YOU AT OUR APRIL
JUDICIAL COUNCIL MEETING, WE
WILL RECEIVE A REPORT ON OUR
WEIGHTED CASELOAD MODEL. THIS
HELPS US TO ACCURATELY ASSESS
RESOURCE NEEDS AND EQUITABLY
ALLOCATE THE RESOURCES YOU
PROVIDE. WE SEEK TO PROVIDE
IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION AND
ANALYSIS THAT PRIORITIZES ACTUAL
LEVEL OF EFFORT AND TIME TO
RESOLVE CASES OVER BASIC RAW
FILINGS DATA. WE KNOW THAT RAW
FILINGS FELL DURING THE
PANDEMIC, AND THAT FILINGS NOW
ARE RISING ONCE AGAIN. BUT EVEN
MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, THE
COMPLEXITY OF THE WORKLOAD FOR
COURTS HAS EXPONENTIALLY
INCREASED. WE MEASURE WORKLOADS
USING A CASE WEIGHT METHODOLOGY
DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER
FOR STATE COURTS AND USED IN AT
LEAST 30 OTHER STATES, WHICH
ALLOWS US TO CONSIDER BOTH CASE
VOLUME AND CASE COMPLEXITY. FOR
EXAMPLE, BETWEEN 2017 AND 2025,
PRELIMINARY DATA SHOWS THAT CASE
WEIGHTS HAVE RISEN 54% FOR
FELONIES, 95% FOR JUVENILE
CASES, AND 26% FOR
CONSERVATORSHIP AND GUARDIANSHIP
PROCEEDINGS. THESE ARE DRAMATIC
FUNDAMENTAL SHIFTS THAT IMPACT
OUR WORK. THE FACT REMAINS THAT
THE LAW EVOLVES EACH YEAR AS
YOUR BRANCH, AND WE'RE NOT
COMPLAINING EACH YEAR AS YOUR
BRANCH IDENTIFIES IMPORTANT
POLICY ISSUES THAT MUST BE
ADDRESSED, RANGING FROM
IMPORTANT ISSUES SUCH AS
AMELIORATIVE LAWS TOUCHING UPON
POST-JUDGMENT RESENTENCING,
JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION,
COLLABORATIVE JUSTICE, AND THE
RACIAL JUSTICE ACT, AS WELL AS
MEASURES REFLECTING THE WILL OF
THE PEOPLE THROUGH BALLOT
MEASURES SUCH AS PROP 36. THESE
AND OTHER FACTORS ALL AFFECT THE
COURTS CASE VOLUME, MIX AND
COMPLEXITY AND INCREASES THEIR
WORKLOAD. I LOOK FORWARD TO
PROVIDING THE RESULTS OF OUR
STUDY TO YOU SOON AS WE UPDATE
AND REFINE OUR POST-PANDEMIC
DATA TO ESTABLISH SOLID
BASELINES FOR OUR WORKLOAD,
RESOURCES, AND JUDICIAL NEEDS,
WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR
JUDGES SHIPS IN THOSE COUNTIES
THAT NEED IT THE MOST, INCLUDING
SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE
COUNTIES, AND WE WILL CONTINUE
TO FOCUS ON ENHANCING EDUCATION
AND TRAINING FOR ALL OF OUR
JUDICIAL OFFICERS SO THAT WE CAN
DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF
JUSTICE AND SERVICE TO THE
PUBLIC, AND TO MAINTAIN THE
HIGHEST STANDARDS OF
PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS AND
PERFORMANCE. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO
FOCUS ON OTHER KEY ISSUES AND
PROGRAMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST AND
CONCERN. AND I'D LIKE TO TOUCH
UPON A FEW OF THOSE NOW, SINCE I
DELIVERED MY LAST STATE OF THE
JUDICIARY. OUR TRIAL COURTS IN
ALL 58 COUNTIES HAVE NOW
IMPLEMENTED THE COMMUNITY
ASSISTANCE, RECOVERY AND
EMPOWERMENT OR CARE ACT. UNDER
THE CARE ACT, THE COURTS
CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE
CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES AGENCY TO DELIVER
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, HOUSING
SUPPORT AND OTHER SERVICES
THROUGH A CIVIL COURT PROCESS
FOR PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
OR OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS WHO
OFTEN EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS OR
INCARCERATION WITHOUT TREATMENT.
AS OF FEBRUARY 21ST, COURTS HAVE
HELD 1258 CARE ACT, HAVE
RECEIVED 1258 CARE ACT
PETITIONS, AND HELD 2092
HEARINGS. THE NUMBERS CONTINUE
TO IMPROVE AND THE NUMBERS DO
NOT TELL THE FULL STORY BEHIND
THE METRICS ARE REAL PEOPLE,
REAL INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES BENEFITING FROM THE
ACT AND THE HOLISTIC APPROACH OF
UNIFYING AND COORDINATING PUBLIC
SERVICES, AS HAS BEEN DONE WITH
OUR COLLABORATIVE JUSTICE
COURTS, YIELDS OTHER BENEFITS
BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME WHO MIGHT
NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CARE ACT
WHO ARE NONETHELESS RECEIVING
REFERRALS TO OTHER SERVICES TO
MEET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS.
THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE ARE
SEEING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT
IN ASSISTING CALIFORNIANS
STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH
ISSUES. WHEN I SPOKE WITH YOU
LAST YEAR, I ALSO STATED THAT
OUR COURT SYSTEM MUST ADDRESS
THE MANY ISSUES PRESENTED BY THE
DEVELOPING FIELD OF ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE IN A DELIBERATIVE
FASHION. SINCE THEN, I APPOINTED
A TASK FORCE LED BY
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESIDING JUSTICE
BRAD HILL, WHO WILL CONTINUE TO
WORK WITH ADMINISTRATIVE
PRESIDING JUSTICE MARY GREENWOOD
AND JUDGE ARTURO CASTRO, AS WELL
AS MEMBERS FROM THE JUDICIAL
COUNCIL ON THIS EVER EVOLVING
ISSUE. AND THEY'RE STILL
SMILING. YOU DON'T SEE IT. THE
TASK FORCE HAS DEVELOPED A MODEL
USE POLICY THAT OUTLINES THE
GUARDRAILS FOR SAFELY USING
GENERATIVE AI. THEY HAVE JUST
CIRCULATED A DRAFT RULE OF COURT
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. AND THIS, WE
HOPE, WILL ASSURE THAT COURT
USERS ARE PROTECTED AS THE
BRANCH IMPLEMENTS GENERATIVE AI.
THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL WILL VOTE
ON THIS RECOMMENDED RULE LATER
THIS YEAR. THE TASK FORCE HAS
ALSO DEVELOPED GUIDANCE FOR
JUDGES USING GENERATIVE AI IN
THEIR ADJUDICATION ADJUDICATIVE
ROLE. SO STAY TUNED AS THIS
ISSUE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE
THROUGH FUNDING YOU PROVIDED, WE
ALSO LAUNCHED THE CALIFORNIA
COURT INTERPRETER WORKFORCE
PILOT PROGRAM THIS FISCAL YEAR.
THE PROGRAM COVERS TRAINING AND
COST AND EXAM FEES FOR ASPIRING
COURT INTERPRETERS, WITH THE
COMMITMENT TO WORK FOR THE
COURTS FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS
AFTER THEY PASS THE REQUIRED
EXAMS. 19 COURTS ARE CURRENTLY
PARTICIPATING. MORE THAN 1000
APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED
FROM INTERESTED CANDIDATES. 126
CANDIDATES ARE IN THE PROGRAM
CURRENTLY AND THE APPLICATION
CYCLE OPENS AGAIN THIS MONTH.
BECAUSE THIS IS A FIVE YEAR
PILOT, WE BELIEVE THAT THE
PROGRAM WILL HELP ADDRESS THE
GROWING NEED FOR QUALIFIED
INTERPRETERS TO SERVE CALIFORNIA
COURT USERS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY, AND NEXT, THE COURT
APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE, OR
CASA PROGRAMS. THEY SUPPORT
TRAINED VOLUNTEERS APPOINTED BY
A JUDICIAL OFFICER TO ADVOCATE
FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF A JUVENILE
COURT. VOLUNTEERS SPEND TIME
WITH CHILDREN MONITORING THEIR
SERVICE NEEDS AND PROVIDING
CHILD FOCUSED RECOMMENDATIONS TO
THE COURT BASED ON THE BEST
INTEREST OF THE CHILD. WE HAVE
45 CASA PROGRAMS IN 52 COUNTIES.
THEY SERVE 10,600 CHILDREN WITH
7400 TRAINED VOLUNTEERS. AND WE
APPRECIATE YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT
OF THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM. THE
COUNCIL AND THE COURTS ARE ALSO
WORKING WITH THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO
FOCUS ON AKIN FIRST CULTURE, THE
TERM USED TO DESCRIBE A SYSTEM
THAT PRIORITIZES PLACING
CHILDREN WITH THEIR EXTENDED
FAMILY NETWORK. THESE EFFORTS
ARE ONGOING IN SANTA CRUZ,
SACRAMENTO, SOLANO, AND KERN
COUNTIES, AND IN SAN DIEGO
COUNTY. THIS APPROACH HAS SEEN
AN INCREASE OF 10% IN CHILDREN
BEING SAFELY PLACED WITH FAMILY.
AND THROUGH OUR JUDICIAL BRANCH
FACILITIES PROGRAM, NOT AS
EXCITING, BUT ALSO IMPORTANT. WE
SEEK TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT
FUNCTIONAL, FUNCTIONAL,
ECONOMICAL AND SECURE
CONTEMPORARY COURT FACILITIES
FOR ALL OF THESE COURT USERS AND
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, IN THE PAST
YEAR, THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL HAS
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED TWO NEW
PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN SHASTA
COUNTY AND IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THREE
PROJECTS ANTICIPATED TO BE
COMPLETED THIS YEAR AND 1 IN
2026. AND IN LIGHT OF RECENT
ATTACKS AND THREATS ON
COURTHOUSES, WE CONTINUE TO
EVALUATE EXISTING FACILITIES TO
IDENTIFY PHYSICAL SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE THOSE
COURTHOUSES SAFER FOR THE
PUBLIC. JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND
COURT STAFF, AND JUSTICE SYSTEM
PARTNERS. THROUGH ALL OF THESE
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS, THE
JUDICIAL BRANCH IS DEMONSTRATING
ITS ABILITY TO PLAY OUR ROLE IN
EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY
SERVING THE PEOPLE OF
CALIFORNIA. SOMETIMES WE FACE
SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES ALONG THE
WAY. THE RECENT ADMINISTRATION
OF THE CALIFORNIA BAR EXAM COMES
TO MIND. AS YOU KNOW, THE
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT AND THE
LEGISLATURE SHARE AN IMPORTANT
PARTNERSHIP CONCERNING OVERSIGHT
OF THE STATE BAR, WITH THE COURT
MANAGING LICENSING AND
DISCIPLINARY FUNCTIONS AND THE
LEGISLATURE SETTING THE ATTORNEY
LICENSING FEE AND AUDITING THE
BAR'S GOVERNANCE AND FINANCES.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, IN
LIGHT OF HIGH PROFILE FAILURES
TO ADDRESS ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT,
WE'VE BOTH IMPLEMENTED REFORMS
TO ADDRESS ATTORNEY
ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPROVE THE
STATE BAR'S OPERATIONS. THE
COURT HAS IMPLEMENTED CONFLICT
OF INTEREST SCREENING FOR KEY
POSITIONS WITHIN THE STATE BAR.
WE'VE IMPLEMENTED TRANSPARENCY
MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT SEATED
BAR LEADERS ANNUALLY DISCLOSE
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AND WE'VE
APPROVED A NEW RULE OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT THAT
REQUIRES ATTORNEYS TO REPORT
OTHER ATTORNEYS FOR SERIOUS ACTS
OF MISCONDUCT. AND THE
LEGISLATURE UNDERTOOK ITS
IMPORTANT ROLE IN AUDITING THE
AGENCY'S DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM AND
FINANCES, UPDATING THE AGENCY'S
DISQUALIFICATION STANDARDS, AND
CREATING A DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR
LESSER VIOLATIONS OF ATTORNEY
MISCONDUCT. AND THIS PARTNERSHIP
WILL CONTINUE AS WE INVESTIGATE
THE FAILURES SURROUNDING THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE BAR LAST
MONTH. WE UNDERSTAND THE HIGH
STAKES THAT ARE INVOLVED FOR
STUDENTS WHO WANT TO PURSUE A
CAREER AND THEIR DREAM, REALLY,
OF BEING PART OF THE LEGAL
PROFESSION. FOR THOSE WHO DREAM
OF ASSISTING OTHERS AND
DEDICATING THEIR TALENTS AND
SKILLS FOR THAT PURPOSE, FOR
THOSE WHO NEED THE FINANCIAL
STABILITY AND THE INDEPENDENCE
THAT WILL COME FROM THE JOBS
THAT DEPEND ON THEIR ABILITY TO
PASS THE EXAM. IT'S LITERALLY
LIFE CHANGING. FOR MANY
STUDENTS, THE ADDITIONAL STRESS,
FRUSTRATION AND ANXIETY FACED BY
SOME EXAMINEES IS INEXCUSABLE
FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAD TO ENDURE
THESE FAILURES. I WANT TO ASSURE
YOU THAT OUR COURT WILL EXERCISE
ITS PLENARY AUTHORITY TO
IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE REMEDIES
TO HELP MITIGATE THE HARM. IN
RESPONSE TO THESE UNFORTUNATE
CIRCUMSTANCES, THE COURT PLANS
TO ENHANCE OVERSIGHT OVER
ADMISSIONS, INCLUDING THE ROLE
OF THE COMMITTEE OF BAR
EXAMINERS TO ENSURE HIGH
STANDARDS AND IMPROVE THE
ADMINISTRATION OF FUTURE BAR
EXAMS. EVEN BEFORE THE FOUNDING
OF OUR STATE BAR, THE COURT
DEPENDED ON THE COMMITTEE OF BAR
EXAMINERS TO SET HIGH STANDARDS
FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PRACTICE
OF LAW, BUT IN RECENT YEARS, THE
EXAMINER'S ROLE HAS BEEN
DIMINISHED. I INTEND TO EXPLORE
RESTORING THE EXAMINER'S
IMPORTANCE IN THESE MATTERS BY
INCREASING THEIR OVERSIGHT OF
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS,
INCLUDING ITS BUDGET AND THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE BAR EXAM.
JUST AS WE TRUST EXAMINERS TO
DEVELOP AND ENFORCE HIGH
STANDARDS TO BECOME AN ATTORNEY,
WE SHOULD ALSO ENTRUST THEM TO
DEVELOP AND ENFORCE HIGH
STANDARDS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A
VENDOR CAN ADMINISTER AN ONLINE
BAR EXAM WITHOUT INCIDENT. OUR
APPLICANTS DESERVE A RIGOROUS
AND THOUGHTFUL PROCESS FOR
ENSURING THAT THEY SIT FOR AN
EXAM THAT FAIRLY MEASURES THEIR
LEGAL SKILLS. WE HOPE THAT THESE
STUDENTS WHO PASS THE BAR WILL
ALL SUCCEED, AND AS THEY DO SO,
WE HOPE THAT THEY WILL COMMIT TO
PROVIDING PRO BONO SERVICES TO
THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.
NONPROFITS AND PRO BONO
PROVIDERS CAN HELP ENSURE THAT
LOW INCOME CALIFORNIANS HAVE
ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL CIVIL LEGAL
SERVICES. LIKE ALL PRO-BONO
PROVIDERS, THEY SHOULD HAVE OUR
SUPPORT AND THE FREEDOM TO
REPRESENT THOSE IN NEED OF THEIR
LEGAL SERVICES WITHOUT FEAR OF
RETRIBUTION OR UNWARRANTED
CRITICISM, WHICH THREATENS TO
HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON THE
NATURE OF THE WORK THEY'RE
WILLING TO UNDERTAKE. THANK YOU.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS THE
CONSIDERABLE STRESS, ANXIETY,
AND CONFUSION SURROUNDING THE
ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION POLICIES
AND ENFORCEMENT AS THEY RELATE
TO OUR COURTS. THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, OF COURSE, HAS THE
RIGHT AND OBLIGATION TO DO ITS
JOB, BUT IT CANNOT. CONSISTENT
WITH THE 10TH AMENDMENT, COMPEL
STATES TO ENFORCE FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION LAW. YOU HAVE ALL
PASSED LAWS MAKING THIS CLEAR,
INCLUDING SB 54, REGARDING THE
SHARING OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, AND
AB 668, WHICH CODIFIES THE
COMMON LAW PRIVILEGE AGAINST
CIVIL ARRESTS AND COURTHOUSES IN
CALIFORNIA WITHOUT A JUDICIAL
WARRANT. THESE LAWS HAVE BEEN
UPHELD AGAINST VARIOUS
CHALLENGES, AND IN FACT, THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S OWN
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT RECOGNIZES
SOME OF THESE IMPORTANT
LIMITATIONS, SPECIFYING THAT
SUCH CIVIL IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS SHOULD NOT
OCCUR IN JURISDICTIONS LIKE
CALIFORNIA WHICH PREVENT IT.
NONE OF THIS MEANS THAT STATE
OFFICIALS OR JUDICIAL OFFICERS
HAVE ANY INTENT TO VIOLATE
FEDERAL LAWS THAT PREVENT ANYONE
FROM CONCEALING, HARBORING, OR
SHIELDING FROM DETECTION. THOSE
WHO ARE IN OUR COUNTRY
ILLEGALLY, PARTICULARLY THOSE
WHO COMMIT VIOLENT FELONIES.
RATHER, WE CAN ALL PERFORM OUR
INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS
CONSISTENT WITH OUR
CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES IN
SUPPORT OF THE RULE OF LAW, THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN FOCUS ON
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE
CONSTITUTION. LOCAL OFFICIALS
CAN FOCUS ON LOCAL PUBLIC
SAFETY, AND OUR COURTS CAN FOCUS
ON PROVIDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE
TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO COMES
BEFORE US. THANK YOU. IT IS
WITHIN OUR PURVIEW TO ENSURE
THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
CAN FREELY AND SAFELY ACCESS OUR
STATE COURTS, TO SAFEGUARD
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, AND TO
PROMOTE THE FAIR AND TIMELY
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. WE
WILL SAFEGUARD OUR AUTHORITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO. SO I
WILL CLOSE NOW WITH THE SAME
GENERAL THOUGHTS THAT I OPENED
WITH THIS YEAR. THE JUDICIAL
BRANCH REMAINS STEADFAST IN ITS
COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE FAIR AND
IMPARTIAL JUSTICE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH OUR CONSTITUTIONAL
OBLIGATIONS. AND AS WE DO SO,
WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR
FINANCIAL OPERATIONS, KEY ISSUES
AND PROGRAMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST,
OR BROADER ISSUES OF PUBLIC
CONCERN, I LOOK FORWARD WITH
ENERGY, ENTHUSIASM AND
COMMITMENT TO WORKING
COLLABORATIVELY WITH YOU AS WE
CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE,
THANK YOU FOR THOSE WONDERFUL
REMARKS TO OUR ASSOCIATE
JUSTICES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WORK EACH AND EVERY DAY. ON
BEHALF OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, TO THE JUSTICES AND
JUDGES WHO ARE HERE FROM EVERY
CORNER OF THIS GREAT STATE,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO
THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA. LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND
ASSEMBLY, TO ALL OF OUR ESTEEMED
GUESTS WHO ARE HERE IN THE
CHAMBERS TODAY. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENDANCE. WE ARE GRATEFUL
THAT YOU ATTENDED THE 2025 STATE
OF JUDICIARY. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR
THE SENATORS AND ASSEMBLY
MEMBERS FOR YOUR WORK ON BEHALF
OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU SO
PROUDLY REPRESENT. LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN OF THE ASSEMBLY,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
SENATE, THE JOINT CONVENTION OF
THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE
STANDS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU SO
MUCH.