superior court of california, county of sacramentojudge david. i. brown (appointed) was a founding...

Facing Economic Challenges - Creative Solutions through Leadership and Outreach

Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009

Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento

2 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO

C o u r t M i s s i o n

The mission of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento is to assure

justice, equality, and fairness for all, under the law.

Published by Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento Communications and Community Outreach Division

Cover Art The artwork for the cover is a part of the Art in Public Places program, a project of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, and is displayed at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse. The mural was donated to the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission by Mart and de Vries Law Firm. The handmade ceramic tile mural, entitled “Sacramento Courthouse Scene,” was created in 1982 by artist Donna Billick.

ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2008 - 2009 3

4 .....................................................................................Letter from the Presiding Judge 5.....................................................................................Letter from the Court Executive Officer 6.....................................................................................New Judicial Officers 8.....................................................................................The Year in Review 13....................................................................................Awards and Recognition 15....................................................................................Court Budget 16....................................................................................Court Filings 17....................................................................................Court Locations

C o n t e n t s


Sacramento Superior Court has not been spared the effects of the current economic crisis.

In spite of painful cutbacks, we continue to run an incredibly efficient and effective court.

Even in this time of great need, we are searching for and implementing new and improved ways of

carrying out our mission. We continue to try to transform problems into opportunities.

This annual report describes how we have pursued these opportunities, while remaining focused on

five goals that I believe we all share:

(1) Maintaining an impartial and independent judiciary;

(2) Public accountability and the need for cost effective solutions to meet public needs and

business problems;

(3) Building and maintaining collaborative relationships;

(4) Supporting the Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts in their efforts to

support branch infrastructure;

(5) Remembering, if we do our jobs well, we contribute to the greatness of our state and our

country.

Democracy can thrive only with the informed participation of its citizens. State and federal

constitutions have given the three branches of government different roles and responsibilities. Of the

three branches, the judiciary is the least understood by the public. I think we lose sight some times, as

judges and court employees, about how important our work is. We get involved in the day-to-day

court operations and trials. This society would fall apart, if it were not for the job that we do as good

honest judges and good solid staff being advocates.

In many countries individuals do not have a court system where they may plead their case before a

judge and jury without prejudice or intimidation. We take it all for granted. We just accept as a matter

of course, that if somebody messes with us, we don't take out the six shooters, don't take out the guns.

At this level of society, we say, “Fine I'll take you to court.”

This FY 2008-2009 Annual Report reflects what the Sacramento Superior Court has been able to

accomplish in some of the most difficult conditions that judges or staff have ever faced. These

accomplishments are a testament to the fine judges and staff that make up the Sacramento Superior

Court.

James M. Mize Presiding Judge

L e t t e r f r o m t h e P r e s i d i n g J u d g e


It is my honor as Court Executive Officer to introduce the Sacramento Superior

Court’s FY 2008-2009 Annual Report. We publish this report to inform the public and members of the

court community about noteworthy activities each fiscal year. This year the report is an electronic

document to minimize the cost of its production. We continue to meet economic challenges through

creative solutions, outreach, and collaboration. The challenges that we faced this year include the national and state budget crises, which made it

necessary for us to reduce programs, costs, and staffing levels to operate within the budget provided

by the state.

As we end this fiscal year, we anticipate changes that will impact our represented as well as

unrepresented employees, and also our public.

Our represented employees and their labor representatives courageously and unselfishly agreed to

reduce staff costs by postponing contracted salary increases and reducing existing salary levels 5%

while accruing 13 furlough days a year.

Our unrepresented and management employees will not receive salary increases and join in the

sacrifice to have their existing salary levels reduced 5% while accruing 13 furlough days a year.

As is the case in all superior courts, we will be closed to the public the third Wednesday of each

month in order to save operating expenses.

Our staffing level over the last 18 months has diminished from approximately 900 positions to 808

positions. These reductions were made as positions became vacant.

We are having significant challenges keeping our workload current. We will have over 15,000 civil

documents that are unprocessed as well as periodic backlogs in other parts of the court.

We have had to eliminate or reduce our participation in many worthwhile programs due to funding

restrictions. These programs have included Youth Court, Civil Self-Help Center, court-paid mediation,

and mock trial.

As we anticipate two to three years of additional budget reductions, we have come to the point that we

cannot continue to perform all functions as we reduce more and more staff. We have reduced all of

our discretionary programs and are now struggling to determine which of our core services we have to

reduce or eliminate until we receive the funding necessary to provide them.

Dennis B. Jones Court Executive Officer

L e t t e r f r o m t h e C o u r t E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r


N e w J u d i c i a l O f f i c e r s

Judge David. I. Brown (appointed) was a founding partner at the Law Offices of

Baily & Brown where he worked since 1978. From 1973 to 1978, he served as an

associate at Rust and Armenis. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the

University of California, Davis School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts

degree from San Diego State University.

Judge Benjamin G. Davidian (appointed) served as a partner at Sweeney,

Davidian & Green since 2004 and Bell, McAndrews, Jiltachk & Davidian from

2000 to 2004. From 1995 to 2000, he was counsel at Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt,

Gould & Birney and he was an associate, then partner at Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt,

Gould & Birney from 1981 to 1987. From 1980 to 1981, he was an associate

at Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the

University of California, Hastings College of Law and a Bachelor of Science

degree from the University of Utah.

Judge Geoffrey A. Goodman (appointed) served as a partner at Nossaman since

2008 and at Murphy, Austin, Adams, Shoenfeld from 1999 to 2008. In 1998, he

was partner at Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant, & Hannigan and from 1992 to 1998 he

was an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, eastern District of

California. He was deputy attorney general, then senior assistant attorney general

at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1984 to 1991, staff counsel at

the Committee on Criminal Justice for the California State Assembly from 1981

to 1984, and a deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District

Attorney’s Office from 1977 to 1981. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from

the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts

degree from the University of Southern California.

Judge Louis R. Mauro (appointed) served as the chief deputy legal affairs

secretary at the Office of Legal Affairs for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

since 2006. He worked at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1994 to

2006 where he served as a senior assistant attorney general, supervising deputy

attorney general and deputy attorney general. Mauro was an associate at Boutin,

Gibson Law Firm from 1993 to 1994 and at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 1988

to 1993. From 1987 to 1988, he was a staff attorney at the California Supreme

Court. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California,

Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of

California, Santa Barbara.


Judge Thadd A. Blizzard (appointed) served as a shareholder and previously

was an associate at Weintraub, Genshlea, Chediak since 1987. Prior to that, he

was an associate at Greenberg, Cantor & Reisee from 1986 to 1987 and was with

the Law Offices of Stuart Jackson from 1983 to 1986 and Grant, Hermann &

Schwartz from 1980 to 1982. From 1978 to 1979, he was judicial staff attorney

at the California First District Court of Appeal. He earned his Master of

Philosophy degree from Columbia University, a Master of Laws degree from

New York University, a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the

Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, a Master of Arts degree from Claremont

Graduate School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont Men’s College.

Judge Marjorie Koller (elected) has been a Commissioner with the court since

2007. Previously, she was a Supervising District Attorney for four years and

served as a trial attorney in the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office

since 1989. Judge Koller attended Lincoln Law School while working for the

Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and received her Juris Doctorate degree in

1989.

Judge Ernest W. Sawtelle (appointed) worked for the Sacramento District

Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney since 1991. He earned his Juris

Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law,

and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the California State University, Sacramento.

Judge Robert M. Twiss (appointed) worked for the U.S. Department of Justice

as an assistant U.S. attorney since 1987 and previously was a senior trial

attorney from 1986 to 1987. From 1980 to 1986, he worked as a senior trial

attorney for the U. S. Department of Treasury and from 1976 to 1980, he was an

appellate and trial attorney with the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Judge Twiss earned

a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University, and a Juris Doctorate

degree from the University of San Francisco.

Judge Kevin Culhane (elected) was with the firm of Hansen, Culhane, Kohls,

Jones, & Sommer, LLP. He has also been an adjunct professor at the McGeorge

School of Law for 31 years. Judge Culhane received his Juris Doctorate degree

in 1976 from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. In 1977,

he received a Master of Laws degree from Stanford Law School.


T h e Y e a r i n R e v i e w

Employee Satisfaction and Customer Service Surveys The employee satisfaction online survey was developed by the

National Center for State Courts (NCSC). NCSC assists courts

around the country through consulting services and national

educational programs and offers solutions that enhance court

operations with the latest technology and provides information

on proven “best practices” for improving court operations.

Employees completed and submitted anonymous feedback on the

survey from June 23 through July 3, 2008.

Customer Service Surveys were conducted at the downtown courthouse and branch facilities between

June 23 and July 3, 2008. The data gathered and compiled was useful information for the court

leadership in decision making and actions towards continuous improvement for court visitors and

enhancement of staff morale and success.

Courthouse Transfers After many years of discussions, deliberations, and planning on the

part of the Administrative Office of the Courts, Sacramento County

personnel, and Sacramento Superior Court personnel, the transfer of

all Superior Court facilities in Sacramento to state ownership was

completed by December 31, 2008 in accordance with the Trial

Court Facilities Act of 2002 and AB 1491.

Creative Solutions Committee Faced with budget reductions, the court launched the Creative Solutions Committee in January 2009.

The committee charge was to develop suggestions to address the 2009-10 budget shortfalls. Court

employees were invited to participate in the process by proposing ideas and suggestions to the

executive leadership. Nearly $11 million in reductions were realized.

Domestic Violence Court A domestic violence court was established at William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. The

mission is to ensure a coordinated approach in addressing issues of domestic violence. The court

assigned one judicial officer to handle family law violence cases – dedicated to consistent treatment,

coordination with justice partners, access to advocacy groups and services, specialization of court

staff and ongoing evaluation of services and programs.


Impartiality of the Judiciary Presentation The threats to the Impartiality of the Judicial Branch of Government

have been increasing steadily over the past decade. These threats

have taken many forms including recall elections of judges, the

erosion of judicial immunity, and attacks from the other two

branches of government. In 2008, Presiding Judge James Mize, in

partnership with the California Judges Association, and the Judicial

Council of California, launched a campaign to educate the public

about the importance of preserving a fair and impartial judiciary. Conducted by Superior Court

Judges, the presentation is interactive and covers four ideals of American government: The Rule of

Law, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and an Impartial Court.

Law Week Events On May 1 the United States celebrates Law Day, U.S.A. It is meant to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and to recognize its importance for society. The court held various events during the first week of May to celebrate Law Day.

Community Partners Resource Fair

Representatives from the Sacramento Superior Court and its community

partners were available to the public to answer questions and provide

pamphlets and brochures regarding their services and volunteer

opportunities.

Family Law Clinic

Volunteer Family Law attorneys were recruited to provide counsel and advice to low income

residents of Sacramento County on Law Day at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations

Courthouse. Over 50 clients were able to receive assistance.

Art Showcase (open to the public)

Participants were asked to submit a work of art that best captures the

Law Day 2009 theme, “A Legacy of Liberty, Celebrating Lincoln’s

Bicentennial.” All entries were displayed on Law Day and are currently

showcased in the Downtown and Juvenile Courthouses.

School Tours

Two student groups from Sacramento County local schools participated in a court tour that

included presentations on “Participants in the Courtroom” and the “Impartiality of the Judiciary.”

Both presentations were presented by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and students were given an

opportunity to ask questions.

Mock Trial

Students participating in the court’s Judicial Internship Program were assisted by superior court

judges to perform a mock trial for the student body at Sacramento State University. The purpose of the

event was to promote understanding of the court’s role as a forum to handle dispute under the Rule of

Law.


Media Boot Camp In June, journalists from all of the Sacramento metropolitan area

were invited to participate in a media class at the Downtown

Courthouse to become more familiar with the California court

system. The class gave journalists a condensed overview of the

court and was specifically geared towards accessing information.

Judges and management staff gave presentations and were

available to answer questions and provide reference materials.

Journalists were also provided a behind the scenes tour of the

courthouse.

Community-Based Organizations Workshop

In May, the Sacramento Superior Court conducted the third

Community-Based Organizations (CBO) workshop at the

William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. Seventy

community-based, non-profit organization counselors and

administrators attended an all day court orientation

workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to provide an

overview and introduction to the services and programs that

the court offers at the William. R. Ridgeway Family Relations

and Juvenile Courthouses, and the Carol Miller Justice Center.

This orientation for human-services community-based organizations provided information on available

court services and programs. This reduces wasted time and energy for both the self-represented

litigants and the courts, as the CBOs are able to counsel and assist their customers when they require

court services.

Judicial Internship Program

In its second year, the program gave a new group of interns from

California State University, Sacramento a unique opportunity to

interact with judges who presented topics, including but not

limited to: Court Administration, Infrastructure and Policy;

Correctional Law; Ethics and Community Responsibility; Mental

Health Hearings; Juvenile Court Proceedings; The Law School

Experience: How to Prepare and Succeed; Understanding the Di-

verse Cultures the Court Serves; and Anatomy of a Prosecution.

Sacramento Superior Court judges presented all topics to enhance the curriculum established by

CSUS. Intern requirements included completing a series of court observations, readings, attending

group brown bags with judges, and participating in outreach projects in conjunction with the Sacra-

mento Superior Court’s Law Week activities.


Judicial Community Outreach Program

The Judicial Community Outreach Program develops and

enhances court and community collaboration by making

judicial officers available to attend or speak at various

events and functions. In 2008-2009 judges participated in

various educational seminars, including presentations at

Consumnes River College celebrating Women’s History

Month.

Judges participated in fundraisers such as the 10th Annual

Golf Tournament. Funds are used to improve the quality of life for children living in foster care. They

also hosted and made presentations at the Sacramento County Bar Association Summer Fellowship

Program, and they participated in many other outreach activities.

International Visitors Program The court hosts court administrators, judges, and students from various countries, giving visitors the

opportunity to view the operations of the Sacramento Superior Court and learn how our legal system

operates. In April 2009, the court hosted a delegation of leaders from Baja, California and Mexico.

In addition, 123 students from Switzerland, Spain, Hong

Kong, Italy, and France visited the court with the purpose of

exploring the U.S. culture and judicial system. Four Sacra-

mento Superior Court judges conducted tours, provided

information about our judicial system and participated in

role-playing mock trials. For more information on this

program, please contact the Judicial Services Officer at

(916) 874-5497.

Communications and Community Outreach Marketing Plan

The Communications and Community Outreach Division launched a public website marketing plan to

educate and encourage court visitors and agency partners to use the court’s online services to conduct

their business and eliminate unnecessary trips to the courthouse. The campaign included the design of

tabletop displays, posters, and handouts at public counters, and postings in public libraries throughout the

community. The plan also encouraged court divisions to explore additional information and business

service functions the public could take advantage of by conducting business online.


Stand Down

This year marked the completion of the 17th annual Stand Down

event for the Sacramento Superior Court. “Stand Down” is known

throughout the State of California as a one to three day event where

homeless and at-risk veterans are provided services such as food,

shelter, clothing, health screenings, veteran and social security

benefits, and on-site court hearings.

This yearly event enables veterans to resolve certain traffic and

criminal cases without delays. At Camp Pollack – the temporary

courthouse – staff assisted 237 veterans at intake; calendared 548

cases for court; calendared 115 criminal cases; and, set 333 traffic and criminal cases for the follow-up

calendar. The court processed approximately 300 more cases than in the 2007-08 fiscal year.

Adoption Day On November 15th, the Sacramento Superior Court hosted its 10th

annual Adoption Day celebration at the William R. Ridgeway

Family Relations Courthouse. National Adoption Day is

celebrated each year to raise national and local awareness of the

129,000 children in foster care looking for permanent, loving

families. Over 1,300 children are waiting in foster care in

Sacramento. Since 1999, National Adoption Day has made the

dreams of hundreds of children in Sacramento come true. During

this year’s Adoption Day festivities, the court, the Department

of Health and Human Services, and a host of other private and public organizations worked together to

finalize 54 adoptions.


A w a r d s a n d R e c o g n i t i o n

2009 Outstanding Performance Award Nominees Each year supervisors have an opportunity to nominate employees for their dedication, hard work, and valuable contributions to the court. Each nominee is honored at a recognition breakfast – and four finalists receive the outstanding performance award.

Pictured below are all nominees, including the four Outstanding Performance recipients:

Justice Served Award The court was an unprecedented four-time winner of the JUSTICE SERVED Top 10 Court Websites of 2008. In the #1 spot, the Sacramento Superior Court received the award for its choices in online court services, hosting web features for other courts, opening E-filing to commercial vendors, enhancement of user indexing options, posting of high profile case rulings, commuter travel tips, and the site’s virtual courthouse tour. JUSTICE SERVED is an alliance of court management and justice experts providing management services, consultation and training to courts, justice agencies and their partners in technology.

www.saccourt.ca.gov

Front row L-R: Monica Delgado, Julia Francis, Marilyn Countryman (recipient), Jennifer Jimenez. 2nd row L-R: Monica Gutierrez,

Maria Davis, John Oropeza, Phedre Oweka (recipient), Elése Talone (recipient), Dan Canuela. Back row L-R: Chris Carter, Amy

Bell, John Lavino (recipient), Tony Dubra, and Presiding Judge Jim Mize.


Judge McMaster - Judge of the Year Judge Loren E. McMaster was named 2008 Judge of the Year by the Sacramento

County Bar Association for his service to the legal community - as well as to the

community-at-large, his work in promoting civility in the legal profession, and his

judicial demeanor and lack of bias.

Judge Mize - Youth Education and Community Outreach The Center for Youth Citizenship awarded Presiding Judge James M. Mize its

Youth Education and Community Outreach award on October 3, 2008.

Judge Abbott - Judge of the Year

Judge David Abbott was selected as Judge of the Year for 2008 by the Capitol

City Trial Lawyers Association, a local chapter of the Consumer Attorneys of

California. Judge Abbott’s clerk, Dessie Rogers, was selected as Court Clerk of

the Year. This award is presented in recognition by the Trial Bar of noteworthy

performance in the administration of justice in Civil Trials.

Judge Nunley - Difference Maker Award On January 18, 2009, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee honored

Judge Troy Nunley with its “Difference Maker Award’ for his outstanding work in

our community.

Judge Peterson - CASA Impact Award Judge Kenneth G. Peterson, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court, was honored at

the Lawyers Helping Kids Event for his dedication and commitment to the foster

youth of Sacramento County. The event, a benefit for the Sacramento Court

Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, was held on March 5, 2009.


C o u r t B u d g e t a n d S t a f f

100

105

110

115

120

Mil

lio

ns

of

Do

llar

s

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 est 2010-11 est

Sacramento Court Revenues

100

105

110

115

120

Mil

lio

ns

of

Do

llar

s

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 est 2010-11 est

Sacramento Court Revenues

The Sacramento Superior Court, as is the case with all the California Superior Courts, receives the

bulk (90+%) of its funding from the State of California, administered by the Administrative Office

of the Courts (AOC). Funding for the court has declined over the past few years due to the severe

economic downturn.

The chart below shows the current and projected revenue decline.

650

700

750

800

850

900

# o

f S

taff

July 2007 July 2008 July 2009 July 2010 July 2011

S1

Sacramento Court Staffing

The decline in funding contributed to the reduction in staff.


C o u r t F i l i n g s

Case Types Number of

new cases filed Percent of filings

Civil Limited 62,537 15%

Civil Unlimited 9,696 2%

Criminal Misdemeanor (non-traffic)

20,697

5%

Criminal Felonies 10,671 3%

Family Law 22,925 5%

Juvenile Delinquency 7,281 2%

Juvenile Dependency 2,407 1%

Probate 1,575 0%

Small Claims 8,807 2%

Traffic 257,765 62%

Unlawful Detainer (Landlord/Tenant)

12,883

3%

Total 417,244 100%

Case filings in several case

types increased in Fiscal Year

2008-09 and this drove up the

overall courtwide filing counts.

In particular, filings for

Juvenile Dependency, Small

Claims, Traffic, and Unlawful

Detainer cases all increased in

Fiscal Year 2008-09.


C o u r t L o c a t i o n s

Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse 720 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 874-5522

Lorenzo E. Patiño Hall of Justice 651 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 874-6936

William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse 3341 Power Inn Road Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 875-3400

Carol Miller Justice Center 301 Bicentennial Circle Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 875-7354

B.T. Collins Juvenile Justice Center 9605 Kiefer Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 876-7753

Civil and Criminal Courts

Family Law, Juvenile Dependency, and Probate Courts

Small Claims, Traffic, and Unlawful Detainers (Landlord/Tenant)

Juvenile Delinquency Court

Superior Court of California County of Sacramento

720 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 874-5522 www.saccourt.ca.gov

superior court of california, county of sacramentojudge david. i. brown (appointed) was a founding...

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