CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS (CALCRIM)_CALCRIM-2025-01

Title: Criminal Jury Instructions: Additions and Revisions

Summary: Additions and revisions to jury instructions reflecting recent developments in the law and user suggestions

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Monday, June 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) 

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL_ LEG24-04

Title: Proposed Legislation: Remote Access to Electronic Court Records

Summary: The Remote Access to Electronic Court Records Working Group was established by the Judicial Council to review the California Rules of Court relating to remote access to electronic court records consistent with the council’s Remote Access to Electronic Court Records—Policy, Rationale, and Guidance. Having completed its determination of which rules fall within the Legislature’s responsibility because they concern the scope of remote access, the working group now proposes that the Judicial Council sponsor legislation to add 19 new sections to the Government Code to contain provisions from the rules that relate to who may access which electronic court records.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives.  The selected Lawyer Representatives will be representative of the entire district and reflect the diversity of lawyers practicing before the Court.   For more information, please see the attached Notice from the Clerk. 

2025-06-04 Notice - Lawyer Reps (deadline extended).pdf

On April 25, 2025, the Judicial Council made changes to the California Rules of Court with the effective date of July 1, 2025.  The changes are shown in strikeouts and underlining in the attached.

2025-04-25-rules-effective-07-01-2025.pdf

Comments Sought:

This is to inform you that thirty-three (33) new proposals to amend the California Rules of Court, and Judicial Council forms have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Friday, May 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

APPELLATE

SPR25-01

Title: Appellate Procedure: Remote Appearances at Oral Argument in the Appellate Division

SPR25-02

Title: Appellate Procedure: Extension of Time in Misdemeanor and Infraction Appeals

CIVIL AND SMALL CLAIMS

SPR25-03

Title: Rules and Forms: Comprehensive Adjudications of Groundwater Rights

SPR25-04

Title: Rules and Forms: New Case Categories for Civil Case Cover Sheet

SPR25-05

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Deadlines for Motions to Certify or Decertify a Class

SPR25-06

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Implementation of Assembly Bill 2837

 

SPR25-07

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Form Revisions to Reflect the Repeal of COVID-19 Legislation

 

SPR25-08

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Amendment of the Collections Case Rule

 

SPR25-09

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Confidential Information Form for Doxing Cases

 

SPR25-10

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Authorization to Appear on Behalf of a Party in Small Claims Cases

CRIMINAL

SPR25-11

Title: Criminal Law: Findings and Orders for Pretrial Release or Detention

 

SPR25-12

Title: Criminal Law: Implementation of Recent Legislation Regarding Criminal Protective Orders

 

SPR25-13

Title: Criminal Law: Mental Competency Proceedings

 

SPR25-14

Title: Criminal Law: Findings and Orders Regarding Prohibited Items While on Diversion

 

FAMILY AND JUVENILE LAW

SPR25-15

Title: Family Law: Rules and Forms to Determine Parental Relationship Based on Gestational Carrier Agreement

 

SPR25-16

Title: Family Law: Standards for Computer Software Used to Assist in Determining Support

 

SPR25-17

Title: Juvenile Law: Retention of Jurisdiction and Petitions Requesting Juvenile Case Files of Deceased Children

 

SPR25-18

Title: Juvenile Law: Racial Justice Act Forms

 

SPR25-19

Title: Juvenile Law: Sex Offender Registration

 

SPR25-20

Title: Juvenile Law: Date a Child Entered Foster Care

 

SPR25-21

Title: Family Law: Joint Petition for Dissolution or Legal Separation

 

PROVIDING ACCESS AND FAIRNESS

SPR25-22

Title: Access and Fairness: Accommodations for Court Users to Pump or Express Breast Milk

 

PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH

SPR25-23

Title: Probate Conservatorship: Acceptance of Transfers Under the California Conservatorship Jurisdiction Act

 

SPR25-24

Title: Probate Conservatorships: Rights of Conservatees

 

PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND FAMILY LAW

SPR25-25

Title: Family Law and Protective Orders: Implementation of SB 599 and AB 3072

 

PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND FAMILY AND JUVENILE LAW

SPR25-26

Title: Protective Orders: Changes to Domestic Violence and Juvenile Forms to Implement AB 2759

 

PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND CIVIL AND SMALL CLAIMS

SPR25-27

Title: Protective Orders: Civil Restraining Order Forms to Implement Senate Bill 899

 

SPR25-28

Title: Protective Orders: Postsecondary School Violence Forms to Implement Assembly Bill 2096

 

SPR25-29

Title: Protective Orders: Civil Harassment Forms to Implement Senate Bill 554

 

TRIBAL COURT–STATE COURT FORUM

SPR25-30

Title: Juvenile Law: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Inquiry and Family Finding

 

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

LEG25-01

Title: Judicial Council–Sponsored Legislation: Alternative Methods for Family Courts to Give Notice of Child Custody Mediation

 

LEG25-02

Title: Judicial Council–Sponsored Legislation: Amendments to Collections-Related Statutes

 

LEG25-03

Title: Judicial Council–Sponsored Legislation: Appointment of Non-Court Certified American Sign Language Interpreters With Generalist Credentials

 Please see the attached Notice from the Clerk regarding changes to the local rules proposed to become effective June 1, 2025.

The notice is also available on the Court’s website under News Announcements.

2025-04-14 Notice - Redline LRs to be effective 6.1.2025.pdf

2025-04-14 Notice - LRs to be effective 6.1.2025.pdf

The mission of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association is to support women in the legal profession. Essential to this mission is our support for the legal profession. Recent calls for the impeachment of judges and even the elimination of the federal district courts strike at the heart of our legal system. Executive orders targeting individual lawyers and law firms for advocacy positions they have taken are a direct threat to fundamental rights in the United States Constitution. These rights include freedom of expression and the right to free association under the First Amendment, and the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment.  The clear, equitable enforcement of laws is fundamental to our democracy. The rule of law ensures that no individual or institution is above legal accountability, that there is due process where there is a threat to life, liberty, or property, and that our judicial processes remain fair, independent, and transparent. This framework ensures the stability of a free and just society.  We stand by the judges and lawyers upholding the rule of law. We remain committed to defending the fundamental principles that protect our legal system and the rights of all individuals. *This statement is on behalf of the OCWLA Board of Directors and may not reflect the sentiments of all members.

The Empowering Women in Law Scholarship.

The Pearce Law Firm is led by Edith Pearce, a female lawyer who is invested in the success of women in the field of law.  Edith wants to help one female law student each year by contributing to their education. This scholarship will be offered annually, and one female law student will receive $1,500 to alleviate some of their financial pressure.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to participate in this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Please take a look at our scholarship page for more information: https://thepearcelawfirm.com/empowering-scholarship-application/ 

Register Here!

Click Here for More Information!

SP25-01

Title: Judicial Branch Administration: Rule and Standard for Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Court-Related Work

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force proposes adopting one rule and one standard to address the use of generative artificial intelligence for court-related work. The task force developed this proposal as part of its charge from the Chief Justice to oversee the development of policy recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence in the judicial branch.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)