Browsing All Posts filed under »Administrative Office of the Courts«

As Transparent As An Iron Curtain

May 6, 2013

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May 6, 2013 Dear Members and Others, First, we apologize for the length of this communication. We deem it necessary, however, to place in context what has become the standard operating procedure by branch leaders to refuse to disclose public information. In particular, reasonable requests for information from judges associated with the Alliance have been treated in […]

These monthly field trips are Pfabulous!

April 10, 2013

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From the get-a-clue files We’re getting word that the pfearless leader of the pfacilities management unit, he who diverted his divisions resources from actually fixing courtrooms to developing flow and ganntt charts and new policies and procedures that would assist them to do less with even less on their way to a baby baldridge quality […]

The Armchair Quarterback’s Commentary

April 1, 2013

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Let’s start out with proposed laws: Bob Wieckowski as proposed AB 666 which is being referred to in some circles as “The Devil’s Bill” because it strips the responsibility of adjudicating red light camera cases from the courts and makes them administrative hearings in front of the town that put the cameras up, much like […]

“Pay for View” was an AOC plan from the start

March 27, 2013

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March 27, 2013 Dear Members and Others, We attach an editorial penned by Bill Girdner of the Courthouse News. Suffice it to say, our branch leaders have gotten the attention of those in the media who report on court cases and who believe in open government. The author voices a concern that we share — […]

The End of the Line for Reform

March 6, 2013

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March 6, 2013 Dear Members and Others, The fallout continues in the wake of the Judicial Council’s decision to repudiate the recommendation of the Chief Justice’s Strategic Evaluation Committee that called for the demise of the AOC’s generous telecommuting policy. We attach an opinion piece from Courthouse News editor Bill Girdner commenting on this extraordinary, […]

Ushering in A New Era in Continuing Judicial Education & Dialogue

March 3, 2013

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Palo Alto, California (YenWire) Ushering in A New Era in Continuing Judicial Education & Dialogue Recently concluded earlier this afternoon was a fascinating judicial education program brought to California’s judiciary by the Alliance of California Judges. Produced by George Mason University School of Law, it was a part of their Mason Judicial Education Program concentrating […]

February JC Meeting Wrap-up

March 2, 2013

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In the AOC led agenda the Judicial Council again entrusted telecommuting policies up to the overall discretion of AOC management. Although this new policy is more restrictive it continues to offer telecommuting from home based on managers discretion. How long before we discover that we have AOC lawyers working from the Cayman Islands, the Isle […]

Discussion on Private Committees & Court Case Mangement Systems

February 26, 2013

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February 25, 2013 Dear Members and Others, We attach articles by Cheryl Miller of the Recorder and Maria Dinzeo of the Courthouse News. Cheryl Miller’s article details the secrecy surrounding many important decisions made by branch leaders. She points out the obvious disconnect between the courts’ consistent enforcement of the constitutional mandate favoring disclosure and […]

Time is running out for court funding group & Council Meeting Commentary

February 21, 2013

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February 21, 2013 Dear Members and Others, The Alliance of California Judges has been following the progress, or lack thereof, of the Trial Court Funding Workgroup appointed by the Governor and the Chief Justice. We attach an article by Courthouse News reporter, Maria Dinzeo, concerning Tuesday’s meeting. Governor Brown’s appointee and former Chief Deputy Director […]

The Judicial Council Technology Task Force – Banana Republic Style

February 11, 2013

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We called it an oligarchy. Ray Pensador said they’re turning our judicial system into something akin to a Banana Republic.  Here is proof-positive that we’re both correct.     _______________________________________________ February 11, 2013 Dear Members and Others, You probably have heard the expression, “The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.” […]

Commentary: Halpin, Dorner, Chiang, Court Reporting and more.

February 9, 2013

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It isn’t too often we get to write commentary on a myriad of people and news items, most that are related, some that aren’t. First up is the AG’s office and the Jack Halpin case. The Attorney Generals’ office is seeking written opinions on the question “Is the Honorable Jack Halpin (Retired Superior Court Judge) […]

AOC’s Jerry Pfab seems to want to add insult to injury….

February 6, 2013

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From the You’ve got to be f—ing kidding me file comes this story out of the depths of the Death Star’s satellite office in Sacramento.  You might recall that our courts are crumbling and are otherwise falling apart due to a lack of facilities maintenance. In fact, the total unfunded facility maintenance liability to California’s […]

Diversionary Tactics of the JC\AOC

February 4, 2013

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You probably haven’t really noticed it that much. We started noticing it the day King George tendered his resignation.  What I’m talking about here is diversionary tactics – a method to turn your attention away from a real controversy to one that is manufactured. As a branch, what we should be focusing on is the […]

More Construction Woes; Judge McMaster Editorial; ACJ News; Conference Signups

January 29, 2013

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January 28, 2012 Dear Members and Others, By now, most of you should be aware that the Administrative Office of the Courts entered in to a “Private Public Partnership” for the building and maintenance of one courthouse in Long Beach that will cost roughly $61 million dollars a year for the next 35 years. Branch […]

The Nuclear Option: Changing the Trajectory of the Unjust

January 28, 2013

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Citizens of California, Anonymous has observed for some time now the trajectory of justice in California with growing concern. We have marked the departure of this system from the noble ideals in which it was born and enshrined. We have seen the erosion of due process, the dilution of constitutional rights, the usurpation of the […]

JC/AOC – 2 million more to hire 29 more..

January 23, 2013

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Along with the 32 people who were onboarded in the month of December, we learned in early January that this process of onboarding temporary and contract workers is ongoing at the AOC. What really floored us though is our own head count analysis that put the AOC’s authorized FTE’s (Full Time Employees) at 815 and […]

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