I’m sure that advocates for Judicial Council reform are looking at the recent decisions of those in power over at the AOC and Judicial Council and are wondering if we have a King George mini-me about to take office. In a comment in another thread, Wendy Darling pointed out that the new Chief Justice elect has met with the ACJ. What is interesting to observe is that these vocal advocates for judicial branch reform have seemingly fallen silent. No recent letters to the editors published, no recent press, no recent site development and virtually no public statements.
Is this a honeymoon for the new Chief Justice and how long will this honeymoon last?
Judicial Council Watcher 
Wendy Darling
November 20, 2010
Maybe it’s not a honeymoon … maybe the ACJ got the message.
Charles Horan
November 20, 2010
As a director of the Alliance of California Judges I can state unequivocally that the meeting reported by Wendy Darling did not occur. While Wendy Darling (if it’s the same person who used to post on AOCWatcher) is rarely wrong, there’s a first time for everything! lol Wendy, you’ve received some bad information on this one. There has been no meeting with the new Chief and anyone from ACJ.
We look forward to meeting with the new Chief, and to sharing our concerns with her.
Insofar as the additional rumor that somehow the new Chief (or any Chief, for that matter) told the ACJ to “be quiet”–not a chance.
Chuck Horan
Alliance of California Judges
judicialcouncilwatcher
December 21, 2010
I don’t have access to the recorder primarily because I am a cheap bastard. I couldn’t help but notice a tidbit that came through email about a meeting between the Alliance of California Judges and the Chief Justice elect, where the tidbit she suggests is for ACJ members to get involved and join committees (that are stacked against you but use you to endorse the committee position) and be involved in the change you wish to see.
Now, since I’m not privy to this article and someone else might be, might we get a summary from the ACJ or another party pertaining to the meeting denoted by the recorder?
Additionally, I’m informed that Sacramento’s proverbial line in the CCMS sand has been pushed back to some time in February and we would love to see some commentary about that.
judicialcouncilwatcher
November 20, 2010
Certa bonum certamen ACJ.
In these matters, I’m happy to be wrong.
Wendy Darling
November 20, 2010
As am I. And it’s good to know that there’s no chance of the ACJ “being quiet.” Thanks for the post Judge Horan. As for the new chief justice-elect, guess we’ll see whether anything is going to materially change at the Judicial Council and the AOC in about 45 days. Given the actions and conduct of the new chief justice-elect at the last Judicial Council meeting regarding John Judnik’s “investigation” into the Marin Court document destruction and the endorsement of the new chief justice-elect of that “investigation”, it would seem so far that folks shouldn’t be expecting anything than more of the same than what has been permitted to happen under the current Chief Justice.