You remember that recent bit of revisionist history that had our Chief Justice saying that she was pleased with her shiny new handcuffs don’t you? We’re going to be a whole lot less diplomatic about how we frame the discussion. While the Alliance of California Judges can (and does) maintain a proper decorum when asking about most issues, us blue collar working stiffs over at JCW have learned to ask the same question using a whole lot less words without any decorum at all!
Curtis Child, did you lobby the legislature to kill son-of-ab1208 legislation against the chiefs wishes or is she presenting another version of the truth to us all?
(Of course he isn’t going to answer!)……(at least in any way any of us will understand…)
The Alliance strives to keep you informed of matters of importance affecting our judicial branch. In that regard, we include a letter that was recently sent to Curtis Child, the AOC/Judicial Council Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs.
We assume you were as surprised as we were to learn that the Chief Justice evidently supported the budgetary reform embodied in AB 1208, which was enacted by way of a trailer bill to this year’s state budget. In a conference call with reporters on Friday June 29th, the Chief Justice indicated that she was “pleased” with the reforms and had “no opposition” to the provision that restricts the ability of the Council and AOC to spend money from the Trial Court Trust Fund.
If in fact the Chief Justice had no opposition, we are perplexed by the fact that AOC/Council staff were actively engaged in attempts to kill and or water down these very provisions right up to the day the Senate voted to approve this necessary reform.
As the comprehensive SEC report has pointed out, AOC staff are not appropriately supervised by the Council and measures must be taken to rein in a bureaucracy that sees itself at the top of the organizational chart. We agree.
It is for that reason that we strongly encourage you to support the SEC recommendations by sending your comments to invitations@jud.ca.gov. We understand that the final date for comments is Sunday, July 22. Please support our colleagues who spent 55 weeks getting to the bottom of what ails our branch and send your comments without delay.
We will of course forward on to you any reply from Mr. Child. To date he has failed to respond, but he may very well be on vacation having worked so many hours at the Capitol.
Directors, Alliance of California Judges
___________________________________________________________________________________
July 5, 2012
Related articles
- ACJ: Puzzling…. (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
- The lack of credibility and leadership now emanates from the office of the Chief Justice (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
- Diversity, Access & Fairness? You’re kidding, right? (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
- We wish you were here (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
Judicial Council Watcher 
unionman575
July 11, 2012
More nice work JCW!
Michael Paul
July 11, 2012
unionman575
July 11, 2012
🙂
Wendy Darling
July 11, 2012
Most, if not all, of us know who the liar is.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
July 11, 2012
Yes we do.
🙂
unionman575
July 11, 2012
My, my, my Curt, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED? Please do share…
http://www.calegaladvocates.org/news/article.169948-Curtis_Child_Appointed_New_Director_Of_AOC_Legislative_Office
Mr. Vickrey stated, “Curt has a long history of both advocating for and implementing policies consistent with the values of our judicial branch, specifically equal access to fair and impartial courts. He understands the type of cooperation and partnerships that are required to see that policies are adopted. But he also appreciates that adopting policy is only part of the job. Having held senior positions in the executive branch with substantial responsibility for implementing major reforms, he understands the need to ensure the availability of adequate resources to achieve the end goal. With his background, he is in an excellent position to be an effective judicial branch advocate for policies that will be implemented for the benefit of the public.”
Curt we all hope to see you here real soon pal:
Dan Dydzak
July 11, 2012
Get Smart would have found the above info “very interesting” and took out his shoe phone before he hooked up with Agent 99.
Wendy Darling
July 11, 2012
They’re not that smart, Dan.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
July 11, 2012
Wendy, look I found some AOC training materials here which merit further “studty”…
unionman575
July 11, 2012
I believe this particular training course is being offered at this location. AOC “studies” have shown that an envornment such as thisa “enhances” the “learning and study process”…WOW …I am drunk tonight…
unionman575
July 11, 2012
excuses the typos…whew
unionman575
July 11, 2012
🙂
Nothing like a rant.
Right Ant?
unionman575
July 11, 2012
Feel free to drop me a line anytime:
bbqchefs1963@hushmail.com
unionman575
July 11, 2012
You know what? I think the Death Star movers and shakers should all convene at this resort to review the public comments, for, umm, 14 days.
What do you think?
I want them to “review” the comments in an “educational environment”.
wearyant
July 12, 2012
Whut!? Should I change my name to RantAnt? hahaha.
unionman575
July 12, 2012
Please do Ant.
unionman575
July 11, 2012
This just popped into my head, don’t know why…
Nathaniel Woodhull
July 12, 2012
Sadly, all that we see going on within the Judicial Branch in California is but a small reflection of a much greater problem facing our representative democracy. When the founders of this Nation got together, everyone should remember that they were all afraid of the potential powers of government and the abuses that could occur from the powers bestowed upon the government. For these reasons, a representative democracy was created that provided for limited powers of government and checks and balances within the branches of government. Whenever possible, the greatest powers were relegated to the government that was the closest to the People.
The premises underlying the State Trial Court Funding Act of 1997 were based upon a belief that there should be a steady income stream for all trial courts within the 58 Counties of California. At the time, some smaller counties would routinely run out of funds near the end of each fiscal year and would scramble to borrow money from the State. There is nothing contained within the Act, nor did the authors ever intend, to create the behemoth monolith envisioned by Ronald George, Bill Vickrey and the rest of the henchmen/henchwomen at what became the Crystal Palace.
Ronald George was a megalomaniac when he was a trial judge in Los Angeles. Given his personal history, no one should be surprised by his adventures as Chief Justice, especially when none of the checks and balances then available were ever exercised upon him, and/or the Branch, during his first 8-10 years in the Chief Justice’s office. As has been true of so many leaders in our Government in the past few decades at all levels, Ronald George’s actions demonstrated that he held a belief that people are fundamentally stupid and need to be “cared for” by the government. Hence, we had the “advancement” of countless programs built upon the premise that the then existing system was broken and he (Ronald George) need to fix it. During his tenure, the Judiclal Council and AOC embarked upon journeys never imagined by the founders of California’s government. They took power that was never allocated to them and everyone stood silent. But for a few voices in the wilderness, no organized opposition occurred until the creation of the AOC Watcher, Judicial Council Watcher and Alliance of California Judges.
The task and role of those contributing to this forum is a vitally important one. It is frustrating at times, when it appears that policy-makers in Sacramento may not seem to “get it” and we continue to see “business as usual” within the walls of the Crystal Palace, but we all must remain focused and continue to provide logical and factual questions/information/alternatives to the drivel espoused by Pravda.
As a student of history and someone living about their 10th life since the formation of this Country, I have serious doubts that our system of government will still exist during my next life time. We are facing an unsustainable future. Nearly one-half of all households receive a salary from or benefits from the government. Half of adults pay no income taxes. Those paying no taxes are receiving countless benefits from those who do pay taxes. Taxes are involuntarily extracted from half the population by a bureaucracy that always seems to feel it necessary to spend more money than they take in, regardless of party affiliation. Recipients of this “wealth transfer” rely upon these payments for their existence, so they have a vested interest in continuing that system. This system of wealth transfer is not sustainable. Those in charge of the administration of our Judicial Branch, Ronald George and Tani Cantil-Sakauye, operate upon the basis of this same unsustainable bureaucratic outlook.
As written by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence states that our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are part of our “humanity”. Natural Law serves as the basis of our personal freedom, not the government. Thus, our rights come from our humanity, not the government.
We need to remember that to operate effectively, the Judicial Branch needs to remain close to the people. Judicial officers should adjudicate issues that are raised by members of the public and/or government who raise those issues before the court. We should not be affirmatively soliciting business and telling people how they should run their lives. The other two branches of government already do too much in that regard and judges should stand up and tell the executive and legislative branches that is not the fundamental premise of our system.
Understanding all of this, there can be no question but that the size of the Administrative Office of the Courts should be reduced by 70% +. The Judicial Council should be reminded that they are not the “policymaking” body within the courts, rather they simply recommend policy to local trial courts. Money budgeted to the Judicial Branch should flow directly to the trial courts. That money should then be used to provide access to those seeking justice from our courts. We cannot perform our charged duties if our doors are shut, lights are off and/or there is no staff to perform these fundamental services.
JusticeCalifornia
July 12, 2012
Wonderful comment, NW.
wearyant
July 12, 2012
Nathaniel Woodhull said:
“It is frustrating at times, when it appears that policy-makers in Sacramento may not seem to ‘get it’ and we continue to see ‘business as usual’ within the walls of the Crystal Palace, but we all must remain focused and continue to provide logical and factual questions/information/alternatives to the drivel espoused by Pravda.”
This is what I am struggling with right now. I am about ready to log off at times and forget it. These cretin bureaucrats sometimes can just wear one down to the point of giving up — and I imagine that’s part of the reason they have succeeded at hanging on so long. They have staying power! Earle Stanley Gardner would not recognize our judicial system today. You’d think things would refine with age and time-giving experience. Courts closing, valued employees given their walking papers, limited minded bureaucrats running the judicial branch …
Anyway, thanks for all the good words, kind man that you are, NW! It is appreciated far more than you may know. Hopefully other people are waking up and will rally to the call for help from the judicial branch.
Been There
July 12, 2012
Like all of you, I think this reads like a (clumsy) political ploy.
It runs something like this: any measure of legislative control is an absolute anathema to the CJ She tells Curt to pull out all the stops to block any budgetary reform in the trailer bill. Depending on how many battle scars Curt may have, he may know the if he succeeds he will be a hero in the CJs eyes; if he fails she will feign deniability of any knowledge of what he has done.
Sadly, this has been a fact of life at the AOC since Bill V arrived.
wearyant
July 12, 2012
Well said, Been There. The CJ is so sickening to me, it is extremely difficult to write to her about my feelings on the SEC report. I know I must overcome and get to the task … very, very difficult.
Wendy Darling
July 12, 2012
Same problem here, Ant. It seems like it’s pointless to say anything to the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council, whether it’s about the SEC report or anything else. Unless it’s what they want to hear, or follows their script, it just gets ignored.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
July 12, 2012
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/News/Local-News/Jury-out-on-court-funding
Jury out on court funding
Written by Chris Caskey, The Union Democrat
July 12, 2012 01:17 pm
Despite state funding delays of at least a year, Tuolumne County’s chief administrator says he still anticipates a proposed new courthouse will be built as county leaders have predicted.
The courthouse is a centerpiece of the long-discussed Law and Justice Center, off Old Wards Ferry Road.
California lawmakers cut spending this year on court construction by diverting $240 million from construction projects to cover operating expenses. One of the court projects put on ice was Tuolumne County’s.
“The reality is we’ll have about $60 million to work with,” said Teresa Ruano, spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of the Courts, adding the state office had originally expected closer to $300 million for construction.
The delay is likely to be a year or more, as projects entering the architectural design phase must now go through a review that looks at operations and project design, Ruano said.
“Realistically, it’s paused for the entire fiscal year,” she said. “We’re optimistic that eventually these projects will all move forward. We only know what we know today.”
The local courthouse is one of 31 projects statewide affected by the cuts, and one of 12 that have passed through property acquisition. The county has already sold the 4.3-acre court property to the state for $800,000, with the deal closing in late June.
For the remaining projects, including a new courthouse in Modesto, the state will not purchase the properties until the Administrative Office of the Courts determines which are the highest priorities.
Ruano said the department will look at “a range of criteria” in deciding which projects will get funding.
Whether the state already owns the property “will be in the mix of the criteria that will be looked at,” she said.
County Administrator Craig Pedro said the delay isn’t a surprise. County officials have anticipated it for months and discussed it at public meetings, he said.
He said he was pleased the land sale still moved forward, and he said even further delays wouldn’t necessarily pose a problem for the county because the state is paying for the entire construction costs.
Pedro also pointed out the state has identified this as one of about six court projects that are “examples of a cost-effective process.”
“The property is secure, that’s a great first step. We just have to wait until (the state gets) their financial legs,” Pedro said. “This is not news to us as far as the delays and others. This is the state’s swiping money from everywhere they can.”
The county wrapped up a major phase in April at the justice center campus, finishing approximately $2.86 million in infrastructure work including utilities and road improvements.
The two-story, five courtroom courthouse building is supposed to open by 2014, and officials say it will eventually house a jail, juvenile detention center and other law enforcement offices.
It will replace the current court buildings in downtown Sonora.
wearyant
July 12, 2012
Wow, talk about someone needing a dose of REALITY! Geez. And this glorious project is “paused.” Yeah. The AOC has a different definition than all of us for “pause.” I’m sure Delilah’s Devil Dictionary will include this interesting aspect of a definition for PAUSE. Just as CCMS was PAUSED, as the AOC bureaucrats continued funneling money into a dead computer program. WHEN can these idiots be stopped?
unionman575
July 12, 2012
You have hush mail Ant.
unionman575
July 13, 2012
After sniffing so much glue Ant, they have a hard time focusing over there at the AOC…it happens…
😉
JusticeCalifornia
July 12, 2012
“The AOC has a different definition than all of us for “pause.” I’m sure Delilah’s Devil Dictionary will include this interesting aspect of a definition for PAUSE”
Indeed. Those with good-enough courthouses throughout this state should accept that in this economy they will only have their good-enough courthouses. Anything else promised by top leadership is an empty, minefield promise, that compromises the entire branch.