Judicial Council Watcher will be updating our action campaign page over the next 36 hours. In the meantime Yen Interactive produced this business card template that you can download, print, cut up and distribute to drive people to this site to learn more. They’re going to help us make political action easy.
Yen Interactive will also be pointing one of their rare four letter domain names at our action campaign page that will provide substantially more detail than it currently does. By Sunday Morning it will have with links to numerous posts to establish the issues and the background and with downloadable, pre-printed letters that can be downloaded and directed at politicians.
We’re going to give you the tools to synchronize the ground war with the air war. All you have to do is put these in the hands of the general public. If you want change you can believe in, then try to put these into the hands of every citizen you meet starting Monday.
With Corruption Everyone Pays 10 up (Link to 10 cards per page download usable on Avery business card stock or you can cut along the lines with a paper cutter)
*Note: If you’re willing to produce anything similar to guide people into making action easy, we’re willing to post it for download.
Judicial Council Watcher 
sharonkramer
July 15, 2011
That’s good. How bout this message? “Chief Justice Cantil-Sayueke is a Job Killer. RECALL NOW”
Judicial Council Watcher
July 15, 2011
It’s not yet a part of our “save the trial courts” strategy.
sharonkramer
July 15, 2011
K. Sounds like you have plan. Good to know.
Wendy Darling
July 15, 2011
A good place to start passing out those cards . . .
Published today, Friday, July 15, from Bay Citizen, by Aaron Glantz:
Courtmageddon Looms after Budget Cuts
Lawsuits could take five years to process; “This is the worst crisis that I can think of,” says leading San Francisco lawyer
By Aaron Glantz on July 15, 2011
According to court spokeswoman Ann Donlan, “It will take a year and a half to get a divorce in San Francisco and to get a child custody order. If you file suit, we won’t do anything with your case for five years,” Donlan said. Paying a traffic ticket could mean waiting in line for five hours.”
http://www.baycitizen.org/courts/story/courtmageddon-looms-budget-cuts/
Long live the ACJ.
antonatrail
July 15, 2011
From “courtmageddon looms” story above: “Philip Carrizosa said there’s little money in that fund now, because the state legislature ‘raided’ $310 million from the courts’ capital improvements fund to balance the state budget.”
What an outrageous and specious comment from Carrizosa in light of its total misrepresentation of the truth. A reading of JudicialCouncilWatcher, and for more history, AOCWatcher, tells all and will set facts straight. I will not regurgitate it all here and now, even though it’s called for in light of this unscrupulous remark. May the California public (including the lawyers — who are misguided in being willing to pay more in filing fees) learn of the opulence enjoyed by do-nothing, fat-ass bureaucrats making up the AOC! There’s gotta be a way to cut this insanely bloated bureaucracy and save the court workers, including commissioners, who actually serve the public. It’s so damned frustrating to watch this crappy machinery grind on and on. Maybe when the California judges have to increase their already demanding and huge workloads with the loss of the commissioners will the camel’s back break. Meanwhile, here’s hoping the camel’s nose continues into the posh and well-appointed bureaucracy tent, and the public gets a gander at how good life is if you’re an unctuous sycophant.
antonatrail
July 15, 2011
Oh, and welcome back, General NWoodhull. You were missed. Hope you’re geared up for Courtmaggedon.
versal-versal
July 16, 2011
So the CJA President has awoken and says he will lobby all the Bay Area PJ’s to hire the 11 of 12 laid off San Francisco Commissioners. Excuse me Judge Davis but the rest of the Bay Area courts are getting hit and have been hit with the same cutbacks San Francisco has been subjected to. The only court entity who has not been cut is the AOC. As President of the CJA where were you when every court in California was closed and the AOC continued hiring and spending millions of taxpayer dollars on CCMS ? Moreover it is a sad commentary that the CJA has been supportive of the closed and anti-democratic rule of former Chief Justice George and Justice Huffman.If I recall correctly wasn’t this same Judge Davis responsible for lobbying Assemblyperson Calderon against his efforts to restore rights to the trial courts. While the CJA and its President express concern about the plight about San Francisco’s Commissioners what about the court clerks ,court reporters and other long term employees of the San Francisco court who are about to lose their jobs ? The bottom line is CJA leadership needs to get off the sidelines and advocate for the trial courts. They could start by adopting Lando’s suggestions in the last post which were aimed at cutting back on unnecessary and excessive spending by the AOC and cutting back the AOC budget at the same level the trial courts have been hit with the last three years.
lando
July 16, 2011
First thanks Woodhull for the historical perspective and thanks versal for pointing out that the CJA is about 10 years late in weighing in on what is really at issue here . The bottom line is that our new CJ needs to democratize the JC and end for the good the wasteful spending on CCMS. A Judge needs to replace Mr Vickrey so the AOC is run by someone that understands the AOC’s mission is to support the hard work of the California trial courts. To save taxpayer dollars CCMS needs to go , Mr Overholts position needs to be eliminated, all of the overpaid regional managers can be eliminated, all AOC consulting contracts can cease and all “regional” offices including in San Dimas should be closed. The sad reality that confronts the SF Superior Court will also effect every other trial court unless and until the JC is reformed and the AOC is cutback.
Prada
July 16, 2011
How about passing out flyers that outline the following:
The trial courts statewide has been cut 50% over the 3 years.
The courts have had closures/furloughs to offset these cuts.
Remind people that in 2009 CJ George closed courts 1 day per month rather than release money earmarked for CCMS to keep courts open.
Make people aware of what CCMS is and make the aware of how much of taxpayer money has been wasted over the past ten years on it.
Outline for the who backs CCMS (AOC) and their refusal to scrap the project and redirect those funds to keep courts and courtrooms open for business.
Detail the waste that is going on at the AOC
Detail the salaries of management at the AOC.
Outline the fact that the new CJ has the power/ability to redirect funding to trial courts yet refuses.
Outline the fact that while the courts have had to deal with cuts the AOC has grown by leaps and bounds.
Outline that members of the AOC continue to approve pay raises for themselves while the courts suffer.
Outline that with closures will have great impacts on all aspects of services to the public.
Encourage everyone to contact their elected officials from their city/county and demand answers as to why are they sitting on their butts doing nothing about the AOC.
Encourage people not to be fooled by the lies of the AOC.
Demand that all power/authority that the AOC has over the courts be striped.
This should have been higher on the list, but inform people that prior to control by the AOC, the courts NEVER had funding problems.
I know this is a long list, but the truth is the truth and until the public beomes aware of the truth and until pressure is put on the legislators and the AOC, nothing will be done.
We need to get this information out there ASAP.
Thanks for your time.
Prada
July 16, 2011
Since SEIU receives a percentage of court employee salaries through out the state for union dues, why not take some of that money and place ads in all major newspapers and inform the public of the impact that the cuts have had and will continue to have if something is not done and done fast.
In speaking with friends who are not court employees, not one of them is aware of the cuts the courts have had to take and are unaware that courts/courtrooms are about to be forced to close.
We also have to educate the public that court employees are not state employees and we don’t enjoy nor do we receive generous retirements as other state employees receive. Each court has their own retirement system that employees pay into.
Ron Overholt needs to go plain and simple.
Also, laws need to be placed where trial court funding is state mandated!
Judicial Council Watcher
July 16, 2011
We will be incorporating much of what you wrote into the action campaign page. Because it does not fit on a business card that someone going through a metal detector can easily pocket, we’re not recommending flyers for people walking IN the courthouse doors. Exiting the courthouse would be an opportune time to provide them with information not easily pocketed because there’s a good chance they’re already carrying other documents coming out.
*Note: If you’re willing to produce anything similar to inform people or to guide people into making action easy, we’re willing to post it for download.
JusticeCalifornia
July 16, 2011
There is an opportunity for positive change or disaster right now.
The CJ/JC/AOC hold the money cards– why would they give that up? There is strength in top leadership’s numbers and one-way communication– why would they give that up? If the trial courts are de-stabalized and struggling and unable to find time to even whimper– that is wonderful for those in power.
Make no mistake about it. This is war. The AOC — which is top leadership’s well funded army, is taking over the branch while branch members wring their hands, hope the barmaid/blackjack dealer will do the right thing (hahahaha), and then finally realize that the ACJ was right. With all due respect, branch members who have been sitting on the fence giving the gambling barmaid and her band of thieves the benefit of the doubt might want to think about where that has gotten the branch. If I were a judge in this miserable situation I would call the ACJ and get more information– if anyone has a battle plan they do. Just my opinion.
The law must be changed — the judicial council must be democratized and branch power must be decentralized. Giving a gambling barmaid (or anyone else) absolute power over the largest judiciary in the western world is INSANE. As far as I can tell such change must be be done via legislation or initiative. AB 1208 is on the table. It is a very powerful weapon.
Concerned
July 16, 2011
JusticeCalifornia,
Well said. It has baffled many as to WHY the judges of this state have not been more vocal in this mess. Are they affraid? You would think that these judges would be banding together and going to the legislators, someone, anyone and speaking out against what is happening to trial courts. Haven’t heard a peep out of them. Why are they not doing PSA’s which would be pretty powerful in the public eyes? Why are they doing NOTHING? This is war.
California has the largest judicial system is the country if not the world, and yet a few greedy men and one unqualified female is about to bring it to the brink of ruin. Maybe, just maybe if along with elected officials, the threat of not being re-elected will spur them into action.
There has only been one judge, believe from San Francisco, that has spoken out publicly. Many thanks to that judge. Where’s the support from fellow judges?
I do believe, once the public is made fully aware of what’s going on things will change. Question? Where is Diane Feinstein? This is her state. She’s where she is because of the support and votes of the people of this state. Is she aware of the terrible state of California trial courts? She for one can call for an investigation into the AOC/JC/JC.
Judicial Council Watcher
July 16, 2011
Diane Feinstein was co-chair to Ronald George’s re-election bid thirteen years ago.
You would have better luck courting Barbara Boxer.
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
I suspect that Diane Feinstein’s situation with regard to calling upon anyone to investigate the AOC and JC is complicated a bit by the fact that her daughter runs the show (debacle) across the street at San Francisco Superior Court in her capacity as Presiding Judge.
Katherine Feinstein as well was chair of the dead-letter agency known as the Commisssion on Judicial Performance until she resigned in June 2010 to take on her genius job as Presiding Judge—-she had previously served as assistant to SF Presiding Judge McBride—(best known as the wife-beater)—
Interestingly—If you Google Feinstein you will find her profuse thanks to McBride for keeping her well-involved through the two years she served as his assistant….Would this mean that what has happened in San Francisco does not surprise her?
Diane Feinstein likely hopes that no one will notice that the largest Judicial Branch in the western world has been run straight into the ground by foolish / sloppy management—Diane Feinstein and her daughter Katherine likely hope that RB2 is able to deflect opposition with her current strategy of arrogance / avoidance / smoke / mirrors….
So—yeah—let’s not count on any help from Diane Feinstein—-does anyone believe that katherine Feinstein will;want to take a run at mom’s seat in the future?—- the state of the SF Courts will likely diminish any prospect of future elected office for her—
sharonkramer
July 16, 2011
Without going into detail, Barbara Boxer has closed her eyes, too, to the problem of waste, abuse, politics and cronyism in the Ca judicial system at its highest levels.
This is so sad to watch play out on many levels. These women really were the best and the brightest of pioneers in women’s rights and champions of equality at one time. Now, it has deteriorated to timely feigned indignation by the sisterhood because someone said the word “attractive” while trying to keep the courts open for the sake of Democracy and CA citizens. Seems many of the Old Guard of women’s & children’s rights and equality have forgotten who and what they were fighting for.
sharonkramer
July 16, 2011
I have a suggestion, for what it is worth. Analyze EACH of their moves. They are not stupid. They know that no one is paying attention, and even if they were they wouldn’t understand it. Take each action and mirror it with the corrected answer in as close of verbage to their’s as possible. If they put out a press release, you put out a press release. If they e-blast messages. You e-blast messages. However they communicate, you do too, to the best of your ability. Mirroring causes people to be more comfortable and subconsciencely be more receptive to the message.
“Mirroring is the behaviour in which one person copies another person usually while in social interaction with them. It may include miming gestures, movements, body language, muscle tensions, expressions, tones, eye movements, breathing, tempo, accent, attitude, choice of words/metaphors and other aspects of communication. It is often observed among couples or close friends.
Direct mirroring occurs where a person is facing right on at another. It is used by lovers, people with high familiarity or interest in one-another such as opponents in a contest.”
This is a serious threat to the Constitution itself that they are perpetrating. Do not let them get by with a single trick. I say No-holds-barred (other than physcial contact).
sharonkramer
July 16, 2011
Dianne Feinstein is married to UC Regent, Richard Blum. She is the mother of ex-CJP vice chair and current JC member, Katherine Feinstein, who is also the Presiding Judge of the SF courts. Where is Dianne Feinstein? Most likely ducking for cover would be my guess, just like Barbara Boxer and numerous other career politicians.
Some of the RB2’s recent JC appointments:
Click to access 20110429apptmtorders.pdf
I sincerely hope that Jerry Brown has the will and ability to undo this mess. Some of these people go back to the days when he was governor before, making it more difficult to stop what they and their affiliates have gotten caught up in.
concerned
July 16, 2011
Let’s hope he can undo this mess. If not, this state’s judicial system is doomed.
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
Wait—-am I reading that we are hopeful that Jerry Brown will fix the mess?—-
Pleez—-if this is a strategy let us also look forward to flying-pigs….
Michael Paul
July 16, 2011
Everyone should know that there still remains a way to restore those cuts. The reason these cuts were handed down was because the republicans in the legislature wouldn’t agree to tax extensions. That’s why there will be even larger cuts to the trial courts next year as several of these taxes expire at the end of the year. No extensions, no money for colleges, no money for courts.When the clamor of constituents gets loud enough in republican legislators offices, be they litigants or college students or laid off court employees, maybe the republicans will re-think their intransigent positions and pass some bills before years end extending taxes and restoring judicial branch budget.
The irony of all of this as JCW pointed out is that the state judiciary is a largely republican animal. They want the money to spend, yet they’re unwilling to agree to tax themselves to get it.
The solution is as simple as drawing a line between two dots, yet all you hear is how the judicial branch should have adequate funding.
Hello McFly, where do you think that funding comes from?
sharonkramer
July 16, 2011
Michael, I agree. Its a Republican driven problem, by and large. The courts could have had $150M more with which to work if Brown’s budget went thru. The role of most Democrats in aiding the court closures, of which I am aware, is to have let it happen that the AOC/JC kept control of all the money. In my humble opinion, someone in Sacramento should have been pushing back and speaking out on Mr. Calderon’s behalf. The silence was deafening.
As you say, its not too late to change course. If they’re smart, both parties will realize this situation has the potential to cause an uprising of the masses. It’s just a matter of time before someone is murdered and it comes to light that the perpetrator would have been in jail for their crack arrest if there weren’t a backlog in the courts.
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
Michael–
Again—I must respectfully disagree—-the exact issue you illustrate already occurs and has nothing to do with money–courts being open or closed–
Our courts are already SO messed up that we don’t arrest criminals—try this one out–Judge Woolard in San Francisco says it’s just fine for a person in the country illegally to murder—she made it clear that SF has no culpability or responisibility even though they knowingly turned this guy out on the street—this guy killed 3–?
http://www.zimbio.com/Current+News+Events+by+Marc+Chamot+-NEW/articles/lIe0E4yKXlb/Charlotte+Woolard+Cities+aren+t+Liable+Criminal
We don’t enforce laws—each and every day in this State there is more perjury in Family Court than there is truth—It is known, laughed about—and supported by inaction—Courts actually go further than allowing perjury–there are Judges ripping families apart—abusive parents unpunished—on and on….
Judge Woolards ruling had nothing to do with the lack of more tax money to protect citizens—She would likely do the same thing if all the lights were on in all SF Courts…
Michael Paul
July 16, 2011
I don’t wish to deviate from the subject of the post but call me insane: I agree with the Woolard’s ruling in the case you’ve linked to. I would prefer not to have my taxes triple by holding government accountable for not installing crystal balls in police cruisers.
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
Michael–
I honestly don’t quite understand this—
You of all people seem to propose that we throw more money to a bunch of inept, corrupt managers with no experience?
How about getting the financial problems figured out before you propose we just throw in more money—California already leads the nation in business unfriendly taxation—NO right-thinking company wants to locate here or start-up here…
GEE—let’s tax more and RB2 will have all the money for CCMS she’s ever dreamed of—more money for pay raises and more employees at the AOC—
How about we get it right and stop the waste-corruption and foolish patterns of mismanagement—
I don’t accept for a minute that the f#@ked-up judicial branch is a partisan issue…
Michael Paul
July 16, 2011
There are three ways out for the trial courts
.
1. Be the AOC’s bitch and start laying off employees. They’ve been doing that for two years already while the AOC has grown, promoted people and handed out pay raises.
2. Raise taxes or rather, extend current taxes due to expire. The budget cut no matter how you choose to look at it is a result of a lack of revenue.
3. Gut the AOC to trial court essential core functions. End the fraud, waste and abuse surrounding it by moving the money away from boondoggles and into the trial courts.
Personally, I endorse item 3. However, failing item 3 becoming a reality due to a lack of political muscle of the state trial court judges then a viable backup plan would be item 2 to keep the trial courts open.
sharonkramer
July 16, 2011
SF Whistleblower,
Is that verified as true that CA leads the nation in unfriendly business taxation? I’ve heard that before many times – from CA Republicans. But I have never actually seen that verified in writing. I’ve always wondered if maybe that was urban legend. I know that we used to have the highest workers comp costs before Arnie’s workers’ comp reform. After his reform, now we have higher.
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
There were no “crystal balls in police cruisers” required related to Judge Woolard’s ruling—
A young man was in this country illegally—he was arrested as a juvenile offender—served time—released…
Rather than deport this fine-upstanding young man arrested for gang activity—he was released to get back to gang work following his graduate education (at our expense) incarcerated….He was released to a life of crime and murdered 3—
Guess you’re right Michael—-no one should be held responsible for this clear violation of exisiting Federal Law—-why bother to enforce laws when San Francisco can make it’s own—
Somehow it seem hypocritical to complain about the AOC not following the law when we have no expectation that Courts and Judges will do likewise? If you don’t understand the implications of the costs related to “Sanctuary Cities” we shouldn’t bother to discuss CCMS and waste at the AOC….
No crystal ball required—
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
Mrs Kramer–
I submit to you that California’s reputation as most unfriendly to business is well-earned:
According to a CNBC report that studied the 50 states in ten business categories (such as workforce and economy), California ranked one rat hole above Mumbai.
In fact, California and poverty-stricken Mumbai are quite similar—except they speak better English in India. In The Onion’s Our Dumb World Atlas, India’s description is like California:
“Mired by rising poverty levels that threaten the lives of millions, and a rapidly crumbling infrastructure, the nation of India (or State of California) has every intention of addressing these problems just as soon as it finishes telling Midwesterners how to install Windows XP on their home computer.”
In the CNBC report, California scored #1 in “Technology and Innovation” and “Access to Capital” but bottomed out in “Cost of Doing Business,” “Cost of Living”, and “Business Friendliness.” This means that as soon as you come up with a great idea in California and fund your project in California, it’s best to get the hell out.
California is responsible for innovative technology. India is responsible for providing tech support. California’s population is 36 million.
concerned
July 16, 2011
Well from reading these posts, there seems to be no hope for the trial courts. When and only when the whole system crumbles and falls, the dust has cleared and the finger pointing begins will anything be done about this situation.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
concerned
July 16, 2011
Also, when it does crumble and fall what will all of the pols tell the people of this state? That they were clueless to the whole thing?
Maybe this is why the public through SEIU PSA’s should put out???
Please correct me if wrong.
Michael Paul
July 16, 2011
There is hope for the trial courts rooted in the judges statewide. Will they be able to organize and endorse an alternative plan in a large majority statewide before the next judicial council meeting regarding the budget?
That remains to be seen. The council will dismiss a proposal endorsed by a couple hundred.
It would be politically untenable for the judicial council or AOC to ignore a budgetary demand by 850 or more judges scattered across this state who suddenly got media backing in the form of every news outlet because there is 850 of them.
Unwilling to miss the bus, 850 or more judges would easily pick up a dozen or more legislators as well, making the same demand of the JC.
This is where the AOC’s propaganda machine has an advantage, yet I’ve noticed trial court judges getting increasingly media savvy.
Michael Paul
July 16, 2011
Point of Clarification: Such a plan would not require new taxes. Such a plan could cull the boondoggles, reduce the size of the AOC, demand a new management ratio, demand pension reforms for the elite 30, demand the end of CCMS and demand the diversion of additional construction funds.
If the trial court judges have the guts, the money is waiting for them at the AOC.
Delilah
July 16, 2011
I will be attending a local rebuildthedream.com event this evening. There are over 60 registered participants. I would like to take some copies of a one-page flier in case this presents a ripe opportunity to disseminate something to residents of my community re what’s going on in their local courts. Any suggestions? I was thinking of printing out the “courtmaggedon” article.
And about the judges and their overall lack of participation in the past when many of them stood by and watched brutal and nonsensical layoffs happening all around them, I can only hope — and I do sense — that the tide is turning and they WILL mobilize and help in the fight this time. Plus, it’s been the tactic of some local court administrations to indoctrinate the judges via email that they must NOT speak to their employees about any labor issues, layoffs or how they’re being done. Or else what? I don’t know. But many of them took it to heart and stayed absolutely mum. (Probably another directive from the AOC to the borg CEOS.) The ACJ has been instrumental in bringing a lot of judges around and giving them a welcomed and long-overdue alternative to the CJA. (God bless them, every one)
Also, will the avxm.com url be activated soon?
Judicial Council Watcher
July 16, 2011
I can ask for a rush on AVXM.com if it would be beneficial. Otherwise it is scheduled to work at 0600 tomorrow. If anyone produces a flyer, send it to us.
concerned
July 16, 2011
I was wondering if court employees through out the state know about this site? I just happen to come across it not long ago. I have told others about it. How about shop stewards @ each court location spread the word about this site. Its a great site. Very informative and others if the want can share their ideas, comments and concerns. Just a thought. Thanks!
unionman575
July 16, 2011
I plan on handing out these every morning before work and every lunchtime to get the word out at my trial court facility in Los Angeles County. I plan on encouraging all of my fellow co-workers to join me as we seek to kill the AOC monster. I hope all of you do the same.
sharonkramer
July 16, 2011
SFW, thanks for the clarification. I know that a main factor which has increased the cost of workers’ comp, after “reform”, is litigation. There was a report that came out in March. They are FINALLY taking into account how medico-legal costs increase when legitimately injured workers are denied their comp and have to fight for it. It adds something like $400 for every single claim made, when averaged out. I find the whole W/C aspect in CA closely tied to what is occurring with the JC/AOC and their muscle take over of the judicial system. Another closely tied area are new bills that are impacting potential whistle blowing doctors in the state. They are setting it up so that if a doctor speaks out, the medical facility can go after them and whatever they write of the doctor will follow him/her the rest of their lives/careers. There are a couple of people in this state in key decision positions, that I would like to see their personal financial statements. I’m sure you can guess two.
concerned
July 16, 2011
Unionman57,
Good idea. What about passing out flyers @ the coffee and sandwich shops near the LA courthouses? Inform the owners and managers of the pending layoffs, the reason behind them and guarante they will see their revenue diminishing! Get the local merchants involved. Tthey rely on court employees to spend in their shops, ect. Ask if you can leave some flyers for customers to take with them (non court).
I will pass this on to our union people. All of the unions should get together, via conf calls maybe and map out out some solid plans. We must all be together as one on this to make an impact.
Also bus trips to the state capitol should be organized. What do you think.
SF Whistle
July 16, 2011
Hey Concerned and Unionman57,
Check out this link–
http://www.seiu721.org/2009/10/seiu-court-employees-shocked-by-runaway.php
and this link–
http://www.seiu721.org/2010/02/250-la-court-employees-take-action.php
and this–
http://www.seiu721.org/regions/los_angeles_county/courts/
another:
http://www.seiuca.org/Court_Workers_Point_to_Budget_Savings_that_Will__Protect_Critical_Trial_Court_Services.aspx
This stuff is encouraging….the facts are that the largest ORGANIZED group clobbered in this process is the SEIU—Obviously court users are a larger group but we have NO organization—The AOC counts on no organized opposition—
Here’s a simple strategy—-My understanding is that the SEIU has 35,000 court employees?? I am uncertain where I read this—IF each and every employee gathered 20 (only twenty) you would have all signatures require for a recall of the CJ—I suspect court employees would gather a bit of power through this expression of activism—??
blowthewhistle
July 17, 2011
I agree that the court workers represent the possible solution. They have numbers. They have the organization. They should mount an informational campaign, leaving all the shouting and rhetoric out of it. On Friday, when the Judicial Council is meeting, they should be in contact with the press and television. Channel 10 in San Diego; Channel 7 in San Francisco; Channel 3 in Sacramento among others. Organized noon rallies outside courthouses by SEIU members with TV cameras rolling and reporters from major newspapers and press services such as AP present.
Keep it objective and calm. Use statistics. Have objectively worded handouts available. Short, sweet and to the point with statistics not accusations. Show the lines of customers going out the doors in San Diego and Sacramento because of CCMS. Interview individual members of the public who have been inconvenienced or downright hurt. Have clerks explain why things are slow. If CCMS is the problem, explain that calmly and objectively, giving examples. Have clerks with actual personal experience give the explanations. Give numbers on filings by the day and month. Provide actual figures concerning AOC salaries and pensions. Detail the recent pay raises. Give dollar figures about CCMS. Use those provided by the AOC to the Legislature, not other estimates that might be subject to attack.
Point out that many people have suggested solutions to various parts of the problem, ranging from reorganizing the Judicial Council, to showing the courts how to do things electronically at less cost than CCMS, to shrinking the AOC in size, to shrinking paychecks for top officials at the AOC, to deleting many of the excess management positions at the AOC, to having the DGS handle maintenance and construction of courthouses, to returning much of trial court control to local people and agencies. Point out how the chief justice called in a political favor from a buddy in the Legislature to pull political tricks to block legislative reform of the judicial system. Point out how the chief justice appoints 14 other members of the Judicial Council so that the chief justice + his/her choir has 15 votes out of 21, thus effectively squelching all dissenting opinions, suggestions, and criticisms.
Set up an information point on an SEIU Web site, provide calm, objective information there, and publicize the URL.
They should emphasize that there is a new chief justice who has now had plenty of time to shepherd solutions but has done nothing constructive. Point out that she was hand-selected by the outgoing chief justice who created the vast majority of the court system’s present problems. They should point out that there is a general election in 2012 and dissatisfied voters once before turned out a chief justice, although for reasons other than court system mismanagement, and they should start to consider doing it again.
Michael Paul
July 16, 2011
avxm.com appears to forward to judicial council watcher’s action page now. Enjoy!
JusticeCalifornia
July 16, 2011
Whether or not anyone thinks Diane Feinstein or Barbara Boxer will act–they should be notified of the problem and asked to act.
Document and report.
K. Feinstein appears to be hanging with the bad boys and she may enjoy street cred from her mother but she is proving she is not her mother. Mommy needs to hear that her kid and her kid’s court are embarrassing the branch.
How the heck did the SF court go from a starting balance of 8 mil a couple of years ago, to a starting balance of less than 200K? That is the question. There has been a changing of the guard in SF in the last couple of years and as far as I can tell it has not been positive (I used to sing the praises of the SF courts. . ..in the last 2.5 years the court has become unrecognizable). Perhaps readers know the answer?
And can I remind everyone about that judicial election fiasco where the SF judges called up the favored big old law firms and told them to fundraise for a challenged judge? Ummmm– really?
sharonkramer
July 17, 2011
JusticeCalifornia,
That IS important. Its not about showing what you know. Its about publicly showing what THEY have been told and what they did with the info (or did not do). I wish I had set up a website years ago called “Thank You For Sharing”, with all the responses from legislators that people have received when they sent letters over important issues. I got the below email from Boxer’s office last week. I have no clue what they are talking about. And I bet if I called them they wouldn’t either. This is like a bride who lost the gift list, but had to send out thank you notes anyway. See below:
“Responding to your message
Dear Mrs. Kramer:
Thank you for taking the time to write and share your views with me. Your comments will help me continue to represent you and other Californians to the best of my ability. Be assured that I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers legislation on this or similar issues. If you would like additional information about my work in the U.S. Senate, I invite you to visit my website, http://boxer.senate.gov. From this site, you can send a message to me about current events or pending legislation, access my statements and press releases, request copies of legislation and government reports, and receive detailed information about the many services that I am privileged to provide for my constituents. You may also wish to visit http://thomas.loc.gov to track current and past federal legislation.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate hearing from you. [lol “thank you for sharing”]
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Please do not respond to this message. If you would like to comment on legislation, please visit my website and use the correspondence form at https://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm.”
JCW, maybe you could set up a link of letters/responses to publicly show who has been told what, and how they responded……or not set that up. I’m not willing to do it, so I have no right to say you should.
(I’ve been doing grassroots advocacy for over 20 years at various times. While I always love good ideas and suggestions from people, it bugs me sometimes when people come up with ideas for ME to volunteer MY TIME to do, while they sit back and make suggestions. As the momentum for this movement grows, people need to be respectful of you and how much time you are putting into this endeavor. If you choose not to follow up on someone’s suggestion, they have no right to say anything unless they are willing to put time in to help you, or do it themselves.)
courtflea
July 16, 2011
Just a note of caution to employees who want to pass stuff out at work: check with your union leadership to determine what is allowable and what is not. I’d hate to see you get disiplined for violating terms of your MOU or court personnel policies. Sounds like a mass mailing to union members from their leadership regarding these very important issues may be an idea whose time has come.
Again I will say that the judges need to storm the Bastille (aka the JC meeting) and demand their rights and the right to be heard. Again, so what? are they going to be arrested for violating roberts rules of order? And if they are what a field day for the press and the cause!!
Employees/individuals/the public can only do so much. They need the judges in there to lead the charge. I think the judges owe it to their staff, the justice system, and their constituents to put an end to this madness.
lando
July 17, 2011
I am sorry but lets not lose sight of the core issue here. There is no reason to be critical of SF PJ Feinstein or any other trial court PJ that has to make really hard choices given the current budget situation. The issue is the wasteful spending by the AOC at the expense of the trial courts. The reason the AOC even exists is to support the hard work of the trial courts. All of us need to do what we can to get the legislature to see that. The only way that reform can come to this branch is to help legislators understand that we do not need an AOC that has regional managers, regional offices , Scholars in Residence, expensive consultants and layers of management including Mr Overholt that do nothing to facilitate and help the trial courts serve the public. While we advocate for a rebalancing of branch priorities also ask your legislator to consider legislation to end the anti democratic Judicial Council structure set up by former CJ George and J Huffman. Enough is really enough and our new CJ sadly shows no desire to reform either the JC or AOC.
sharonkramer
July 17, 2011
Good idea of a letter from union leadership to members. It would also be good if the letter provided a link where they can submit their email address should they wish to be kept informed as the issue progresses or volunteer to help. Developing an email list is an important tool to be able to move info quickly. JCW, haven’t seen what all you have planned so maybe you have already done this. If it were me, I would add the ability to be on an email list to my handout cards and put it three times in the front page of the Action blog.
Maybe add to the card at the bottom “Help Us Help You..Be An Advocate…Send an email to “StopTheJobKillers@ “. (I’m mirroring to defuse with this proposed email address)
You could have a couple different collection email addresses depending on who the target audience of the hand out card is on any given day. Like “StopCourtFeeAbuse@ ” , etc.
Then to identify your volunteers, set up an automatic response with a list of items of what they may want to do to help. Like:
1. Keep me on the list
2. I would like to hand out flyers
3. I would like to help send letters to legislators.
4. I would be willing to make phone calls, etc.
When people get those cards (approach pieces) it would be good if the distributer could say, “If you want to help or know what’s going on, send an email to…… It’s right here at the bottom of the card.”
Just my two cents. Since I don’t know what you have planned, disregard if irrelevant.
Judicial Council Watcher
July 17, 2011
Most of the planning is being conducted by media, entertainment and the PR/Communications companies they’re working with. We’re just along for the ride. JCW is just one of the vehicles they’re using to change this system..
Those same companies have made a valiant attempt to enlist the leadership of the SEIU as partners in keeping the trial courts open. The SEIU leadership has been unresponsive for over six months. As a result, these companies are now working and executing on parts of a plan to enable self-organization for those whose jobs are threatened.
Since the requests being made of us directly already outpace our ability to meet those requests, we’re challenged in taking on projects like direct organizing and raising funds. All of the infrastructure exists this very second to raise funds, to expand our operations and directly organize those whose jobs are threatened. Unfortunately for us, all of that infrastructure exists in a company that is owned by a judicial branch litigant that partly sponsors JCW.
This is why we’re seeking volunteers at the county level and others willing to manage projects, organizing and raising funds locally for local use. We’re just working on giving you some of the tools.
sharonkramer
July 17, 2011
“Unfortunately for us, all of that infrastructure exists in a company that is owned by a judicial branch litigant that partly sponsors JCW.”
That’s only a potential detriment if you don’t disclose it. Whistle blowers who are passionate enough to put their money where their mouth is, should be held out and viewed as a positive, not a negative; in my opinion. Judges and other court employees who would like to keep the courts open for the public good AND keep their jobs is still a public benefit issue regardless of whose jobs are on the line. Its about stopping abuse, fraud and waste of tax dollars by the leadership of the courts. The rest are just disclosure items for those who volunteer/contribute, in my opinion. Don’t get pigeon holed. When in doubt, disclose.
Michael Paul
July 17, 2011
It’s interesting that you both bring this up. I don’t mind utilizing those resources but frankly I think it may be against some rule of court for judicial branch employees to co-sponsor a judicial branch litigants politcal efforts. I can just as easily make a junket fundraising drive amongst resources in Silicon Valley or the entertainment industry and raise more money with less work. Nonetheless, I do have all the infrastructure in place already to both collect and distribute money and to organize people.
My attitude is if people want these reforms, they’re going to need to put their own skin in the game. I no longer work for the judicial branch and am not looking at my job being lost in the near future because of AOC’s mismanagement of CCMS and Court Counstruction & Maintenence. I no longer have a vested interest. I’ve invested quite a bit that I never intend on getting back. I’m a Californian. I have to live with and pay for this train wreck and that’s where I draw the line.
In the greatest case of “I told you so” that I’ll ever witness in my lifetime, I am now watching other peoples jobs being needlessly threatened because of gross mismismanagement and outright fraud at the Administrative Office of the Courts. If I can help you help yourself, I am all in. If you rely on me to carry the ball on this, I will not be stepping up to the guillotine.
Nobody has more invested in change than I do. Nobody.
Judicial Council Watcher
July 17, 2011
I was advised that there is a new due date for some of the “Action Campaign” page & materials and that the due date is tomorrow at 0600. There was a miscommunication that resulted in major portions falling off radar.
Status update:
1. http://www.avxm.com forwards to the Action Campaign thread and has fully propagated.
2. The Action Campaign primary post is less than half completed as different people were assigned different sections and this is where the miscommunication exists.
concerned
July 17, 2011
Just read an article in today’s newspaper the the legislature resounding approved three bills to protect victims of domestic violence. This should be applauded. However, if courtrooms are shuttered, commissioners are let go and hundreds, if not thousands of court clerks are laid off, who and how do they think is going to be around to ensure that theses cases ever make it to court dockets, who is going to file the complaints, process the paperwork, etc when there are no one to do it. Talk about clueless. For this very reason, we as the public, the very people who put them in office, need to be making a very loud and meaningful noise to let them know what the AOC is doing to our courts. That the courts do not need nor do the want anything to do with the AOC. That the courts have gone down the tank under the so called leadership of the courts. Restore court operagtions to each court and let them handle their own funding and financials. Dismantle the AOC. Until this is done, they can pass all the bills they want, and when and if any cases be it DV, family, divorces, adoptions, ect they will not make to court and be heard anytime soon.
These are things that California voters need to know. The folks in Sacramento need to answer to the very people who put them in office.
concerned
July 17, 2011
To correct something stated in the previous post:
What was meant to be stated is the legislators need to be aware of how the courts have tanked under the so called leadership of the AOC, not the courts. Typing too fast and have not had my morning cup of java yet this morning. Apology to all for that boo boo!:)
sharonkramer
July 17, 2011
Michael,
I don’t think it is a conflict of interest for court employees to co-support a grassroots effort with you, unless they have direct impact on the outcome of your case.
You write, “My attitude is if people want these reforms, they’re going to need to put their own skin in the game.”
That’s kind of the point I was trying to get at. We all know this is the right thing to do on many levels. To stay away from opponents being able to wrongfully assign false motivation for action, disclose everything and don’t leave one person to be the sole funder of a collective, grassroots endeavor.
If you are a court employee who does not want to lose your job as your primary motivation for volunteering/contributing, state it.
If you are a judge who is not at risk of losing your job, but you want financial balance instilled in the courts, state it.
The Golden Rule to stop opponents from falsely claiming hidden conflicts is, “When in doubt, disclose.” This is particularly true when funds are required to support an endeavor.
Does that make sense?
Michael Paul
July 17, 2011
I’m sure some person in the court system can render an opinion on that Sharon and I’d like to know. The issue as I see it is my litigation is directly related to my advocacy. I’m sure others see it that was as well and that has to be problematic.
Michael Paul
July 17, 2011
….. then again, I suppose one could do something like…. oh, I don’t know.. go to http://www.pacificscentworks.com and buy every female you know lots of gifts. 🙂 There are another couple hundred places you could go too but I can’t be recommending those places to this audience.
sharonkramer
July 17, 2011
It’s not problematic that your litigation is tied to your advocacy. It’s only problematic if you don’t disclose it when funding and fundraising. This is because some judge somewhere may have contributed time and energy to this effort and then find themselves assigned your case. They would have to excuse themselves. But first they would have to know they have a potential conflict. And if you don’t disclose your funding, yet you didn’t know this judge contributed to the endeavor — it could blow up in your face and everyone else’s. Not because of intended deceit, because of the appearance of deceit and conflicts.
Although you have put more funding than anyone into this so far, this doesn’t just apply to you. It applies to everyone. When in doubt, Disclose, or people like me (except they work for the dark side) will nail you. In 2006, I assisted the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) to understand that expert witness fees were an important financial conflict of interest disclosure to be made by their journal authors. They changed policy to add it and backed down on a mold position statement being the end all in science. It greatly weakened their ability to use their mold position statement (that was written by those who make their livings as expert defense witnesses in mold litigation) as a weapon against the sick in court. I did not get them because I am a great scientist. I nailed them for conflicts of interest. I even got AAAAI to run articles about it in their own journal that I encouraged several physicians to write. In fairness to AAAAI, they were not as conflicted as their mold statement authors or ACOEM – but the dirt still rubbed off on them. http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)01398-4/fulltext
Don’t let that happen to you. Its no big deal if you just disclose everything up front. Don’t forget, we are dealing with people who will turn the use of the word “attractive” into a mortal sin. There is no doubt they will fight dirty. Just cover your bases up front. You’ll be fine.
Judicial Council Watcher
July 17, 2011
If we’re conducting the air war and the court workers and public are conducting the ground war as a quasi-mititia, then we just got a fairly decent proposal from the marine corps that hopefully the rest of the judges sign off on, bringing a total force solution to bare upon the AOC that preserves court operations.
For the record: The Alliance of California Judges Rocks. We should have the proposal up within the hour. Our understanding is that it has already been distributed to all judges.
The magic number for media coverage is 500 endorsees. The magic number for overwhelming force is 850.
Wendy Darling
July 17, 2011
Long live JCW!
And long live the ACJ!
GUEST
July 17, 2011
the more people they lay off within the court systems, the more the knowledge leave the back doors, and less knowledge comes in the front door, Why is the AOC is only wanting Court Supervisors and Court Managers to be only manage the people, but know nothing about the work that is required or the knowledge? Has any of the Judges of Superior court sat in on a Training session put on by the AOC, or had some one sit in and listen to what is being told to these employees. Some of your CEO are soo wanting to go up the line with the AOC, they are sacrificing the local court employees and giving the public such shoddy work,. Why are they not being held accountable,The constitutes in those districts should be able to have a say so if the CEO of the Superior Court is doing there job or not. Since A grand Jury is not allowed to even investigate the Superior court or any complaints. Since the court have emerged in 1998-2000, the Knowledge base of the clerical staff is going down, There are soo many department that employees are not being trained, only told to sign off on paper work, who cares if that person was served as sued or if they were even served properly or timely., Too many of the Superior courts are working without Working Procedural manual, this includes the Courtroom Staffing also, to the front counter-Divisional/departments (Family law,Civil/Probate/Small claims)
Please keep up the good work AOCJ. We need more judicial officers who are willing to stand up to this Goliath and give the people what they deserve a proper and equal justice system
antonatrail
July 19, 2011
I’m not sure where to post this or if it’s helpful. Here is another view of history. In the ground war, knowledge is power:
Senator (Ret.) Martha Escutia’s Role in California Court Reform Described as State’s Highest Judge Retires | The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP
I hope it is helpful. It’s so frustrating to see no change in the status quo. I knew the thugs would hold on to their ill-gotten public funds with bloodied fingernails, but I never dreamed how skilled they would be.