Futures Commission

Charge and Vision of the Commission on the Future of California's Court System

The Commission on the Future of California's Court System (Commission) will study and recommend to the Chief Justice initiatives to effectively and efficiently serve California's diverse and dynamic population by enhancing access to justice.

The Commission will focus on:

• Improving systems and structures to effectively adjudicate civil, criminal, traffic, and family and juvenile law cases;
• Achieving sustainable fiscal stability for the branch;
• Employing modern technology to enhance public access to court information and services.

Mission

The focus of the Commission's work will be an internal review of the current operations of California's courts.  It will assess the statutory and Constitutional obligations of the courts, the current manner in which those obligations are being discharged, and whether there are systemic changes that can ensure those obligations are met directly and effectively, by the prudent allocation of limited resources.

Its goal will be to recommend ways in which the core responsibilities of the judicial system can be achieved effectively and fairly, taking into account the demands and opportunities of the Twenty First Century.

The Commission will solicit ideas and input from a broad spectrum of sources.  Its focus will be on practical and achievable suggestions to make certain that the methods employed to support the delivery of justice are responsive to the needs of all Californians.

Working Groups of the Commission will consider what changes may be made, what costs may be both required and saved, what advantages and disadvantages any proposal may entail, and whether implementation of proposals will require changes in statutes or rules of court.
 

Structure of the Commission

• The Commission will consist of a chair and vice-chair and members from within the judicial branch. Additionally, the Commission will seek input and expertise from groups outside the branch including labor, technology, business, justice system partners, the Governor's Office, and the legislature.
• The Commission will have an Executive Committee that will be charged with ensuring appropriate input and participation is sought from within the branch and from various stakeholder groups and will be responsible for the final development and approval of all reports and recommendations submitted to the Chief Justice. The Executive Committee will include Patrick Kelly, former State Bar President, as a non-voting Special Advisor.
• The Commission will have five working groups each focused on the following case types/subject areas: Criminal/Traffic, Civil, Family/Juvenile, Fiscal/Administration, and Technology. Each working group will be chaired by an Executive Committee member, and will consist of voting members drawn from the Commission, and subject-matter specific attorney groups. The working groups will develop ideas, conduct research, and make recommendations to the Executive Committee.
• The Judicial Council's Chief of Staff, Jody Patel will be lead staff for the Commission's efforts. She will be assisted by a core team of Judicial Council staff that will support the efforts of the Commission aided by subject matter experts from throughout the Judicial Council.