News

Comments sought:
 
A new proposal has been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
 
Criminal:
Criminal Procedure: Proper Use of Pretrial Risk Assessment Information; Review and Release Standards for Pretrial Assessment Services for Persons Assessed as Medium Risk
Item Number: SP18-23
Summary: The Criminal Law Advisory Committee proposes adoption of two new California Rules of Court: rule 4.10, which sets forth the proper use of pretrial risk assessment information, and rule 4.40, which addresses review and release standards for Pretrial Assessment Services for persons assessed as medium risk. These proposed rules are intended to fulfill the Judicial Council’s obligation under Penal Code section 1320.24(a) to adopt rules and forms, as needed, to implement specific elements of Senate Bill 10.
Deadline to submit comments: Review and submit comments by December 14, 2018

President:
Michelle A. Philo

Vice President:
Sarah Nowels

Treasurer:
Sheila-Marie Finkelstein

Secretary:
Kelly Galligan

Immediate Past President:
Jaimi Groothuis

Directors:
Jessica Achtsam
Jacqueline Beaumont
Betty Fracisco
Dana Heyde
Tracy Hughes
Colleen M. McCarthy
Jessica C. Munk
Laurie Rowen
Heather Stangle-Smith
G. Lucia Valenzuela

Inner City Law Center is doubling in size! We are looking for extraordinary people to help end homelessness in Los Angeles. We have several openings for program staff – the job announcements are attached and posted on our website: http://www.innercitylaw.org/careers/.

 

Applications are welcome immediately, and we will continue to accept applications until the positions are filled.

Comments sought:
 
This e-mail is to inform you that new proposals have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
                                                              
Posted Under- Appellate and Criminal Tabs:
 
Appellate Procedure: Appeals from Superior Court Decisions in Death Penalty–Related Habeas Corpus Proceedings
Item Number: SP18-21
Summary: The Proposition 66 Rules Working Group is proposing amendments to an existing rule relating to appeals from decisions in habeas corpus proceedings and the adoption of several new rules and a form specifically addressing appeals from superior court decisions on death penalty–related habeas corpus petitions. These proposed rules and the form are intended to partially fulfill the Judicial Council’s rule-making obligations under Proposition 66 by establishing procedures for this new type of appeal.
Deadline to submit comments: Monday, November 19 at 5:00 pm.
 
Criminal Procedure: Superior Court Procedures for Death Penalty–Related Habeas Corpus Proceedings
Item Number: SP18-22
Summary: The Proposition 66 Rules Working Group is proposing the adoption of six new rules of court relating to superior court procedures for death penalty–related habeas corpus proceedings. These proposed rules are intended to partially fulfill the Judicial Council’s rule-making obligations under Proposition 66 by establishing procedures for the superior courts’ new responsibility for this type of proceeding.  
Deadline to submit comments: Monday, November 19 at 5:00 pm.

Comments sought:
 
This e-mail is to inform you that new proposals have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
 
Criminal -Item Number: SP18-19
Criminal Procedure: Multicounty Incarceration and Supervision
Summary: Senate Bill 670 (Jackson; Stats. 2017, ch. 287) amended Penal Code section 1170(h),1 effective January 1, 2018, to require courts to determine the county or counties of incarceration and supervision for defendants when imposing judgments concurrent or consecutive to another judgment or judgments previously imposed under section 1170(h) in another county or counties. SB 670 also amended section 1170.3, to require the Judicial Council to adopt rules of court providing criteria for trial judges to consider at the time of sentencing when determining the county or counties of incarceration and supervision. This proposal would implement section 1170.3 by amending California Rules of Court, rule 4.452, to guide the second or subsequent court when determining the county or counties of supervision. The Criminal Law Advisory Committee proposes amendments to rule 4.452 to make it consistent with statutory changes and to incorporate further substantive changes suggested by commenters when this proposal circulated previously.
Deadline to Submit comments: Friday, November 9 at 5:00 pm.
 
Traffic-Item Number: SP18-20
Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules: 2019 Edition
Summary: The Traffic Advisory Committee proposes revisions to the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2019 Edition, to become effective January 1, 2019. The 2019 proposal includes: (1) recommendations based on new legislation, as required under Vehicle Code section 40310 and Penal Code section 1269b, (2) recommended changes to the Fish and Game Schedule by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and (3) miscellaneous technical additions and corrections.
Deadline to Submit comments: Friday, October 26 at 5:00 pm.

Comments sought:
 
This e-mail is to inform you that new proposals have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
 
Legislative Proposals-Item Number: SP18-17
Judicial Council –Sponsored Legislation: Civil Discovery Tiers
Summary: This legislative proposal from the Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee would provide for new discovery provisions for general civil cases, setting up three civil case tiers based on the complexity of the     case, with each tier having different discovery requirements and limitations. The goal of the proposal is to make discovery more proportional to the value and nature of claims in a case. The proposal is based on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of California’s Court System.
Deadline to Submit comments: Friday, October 19 at 5:00 pm.
 
Judicial Administration-Item Number: SP18-18
Telephonic Appearances: Change in the Fee Amount
Summary: The Judicial Branch Budget Committee proposes amending rule 3.670(k)(1) of the California Rules of Court to increase the fee to appear by telephone in civil cases from $86 to $94, effective January 1, 2019. The new fee will apply to the balance of the four-year term of the master agreement for telephone appearance services that was recently entered into with CourtCall LLC. The fee increase reflects the estimated increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the term of the agreement.
Deadline to Submit comments: Monday, October 15 at 5:00 pm.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Benita Downs, at benita.downs@jud.ca.gov, or at 415-865-7957.

It’s time for OCWLA’s annual election for nine (9) Director positions. The time commitment for an OCWLA Director (or Officer) is a one (1) year term, and includes (1) attendance at the OCWLA monthly Board meetings (on the fourth Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noticed); (2) attendance at the OCWLA monthly lunch or evening programs; (3) participation in OCWLA committees; and (4) participation in the Board Planning Retreat. Collegiality and camaraderie are all integral to the OCWLA Board experience.

If you are interested in running, please submit a short Candidate's Statement and photo (optional) to Amelia Montgomery, OCWLA Executive Director, by the close of business on Thursday, October 11, 2018, via email: info@ocwla.org. The 2019 Slate of Director candidates will be presented to the membership via e-blast the following week.

Elections are held in November and will close and be tallied at the OCWLA monthly lunch meeting at Andrei's on Friday, November 9, 2018. Election results will be announced at the end of the lunch meeting. Installation of the 2019 Board of Officers and Directors takes place at the OCWLA Holiday Reception and Installation Dinner on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.

We are very excited about your interest in joining the OCWLA Board. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amelia Montgomery at info@ocwla.org.

Inner City Law Center is doubling in size! We are looking for extraordinary people to help end homelessness in Los Angeles. We have several openings for program staff – the job announcements are attached and posted on our website: http://www.innercitylaw.org/careers/.
 
We will accept applications until the positions are filled.

Busy bi-coastal law firm seeking Mid-Senior level Litigation Associate with five to ten years experience for Southern California offices. Top tier ABA accredited law schools only. Please submit your cover letter and resume to the Hiring Manager. Recruiting@enensteinlaw.com.  No telephone or direct email inquiries please.

Invites Applications For:

SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONER

Approximate Monthly Salary: $14,579.13

The Court seeks well-qualified attorneys who possess unquestionable personal integrity, patience, and good judgment to fill the position of Court Commissioner.  Court Commissioners conduct hearings, make findings and issue orders in a variety of case types, which may include criminal arraignments and dispositions, small claims, family, juvenile, traffic and unlawful detainer matters.  Court Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Court and may be assigned to any Court facility.
 
Candidates must be active members in good standing with the State Bar of California and admitted to practice law in the State of California for at least ten (10) years. Appointments are subject to successful completion of background investigations. Once appointed, Court Commissioners may not engage in the private practice of law.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants must submit an Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Personal Data Questionnaire and professional resume by 5:00 PM PST on Monday, October 15, 2018.

Recruitment materials include the Personal Data Questionnaire and a copy of the California Code of Judicial Ethics (Download PDF reader). These identical materials are available in print in the Human Resources Department located on the 2nd floor of the Central Justice Center 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

Judges serving on the Court's Executive Committee will evaluate the applications. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in interviews with Judges of the Orange County Superior Court. Final selection will be made by a majority of the Judges of the Orange County Superior Court.
 
Factors that may be considered in evaluating candidates include: knowledge of legal principles, statutes and case law; analytical and oral/written communication skills; integrity; and temperament.
 
A thorough background check will be conducted, including but not limited to work experience, driving record, criminal record, involvement in civil or other litigation, and financial/credit information. Personal Data Questionnaires and professional resumes may be mailed, hand delivered, or transmitted by facsimile to the attention of:

Responses may be mailed, hand delivered or transmitted 

by facsimile to the attention of Ernest Montoya at:

Orange County Superior Court

Human Resources Department

P.O. Box 1994

Santa Ana, CA 92702-1994

Fax: 714-647-4881