2018 State of the Court

Photo by Maria Abesa

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO

2018 State of the Court

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GROWING WISELY

1

A Message from Presiding Judge John P. Vander Feer & Court Executive Officer Nancy CS Eberhardt

3

About San Bernardino County Superior Court

4

Governance

5

Organizational Structure

7

Courthouse Facilities

11

YEAR IN REVIEW

11

Technology

13

Civil

15

Criminal

17

Family Law

19

Juvenile

21

Mental Health

22

Probate

23

Traffic

25

Self-help

27

Jury

29

Collaborative Courts

31

Community Outreach

33

Language Access

35

WORKLOAD AND FINANCIAL DATA

35 Workload-based Allocation Funding Methodology

36

Judicial and Staff Resources

37

By the Numbers

38

Revenue and Expenditures

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

GROWING WISELY

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND COURT EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The County of San Bernardino is defined by its people and geography. Its vast desert, mountain terrains and inland valley have shaped the lives of those who reside and work here. The desert has provided the military with open spaces to train and store supplies at Ft. Irwin (north of Barstow), the Marine Corps Logistics Base outside of Barstow and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. Mining and tourism are booming in the desert. The mountains remain popular with residents throughout Southern California as a place to hike, mountain bike, snow ski and snowboard, fish and escape the summer heat. The inland valley has transformed from being known for dairy farming and orange groves, to a primary logistics center with quick access to freeways, railroads and the air. Housing still remains comparatively affordable compared to our neighbors, resulting in San Bernardino County’s continued population growth. Providing consistent, impartial and accessible administration of justice is a primary mission of the San Bernardino County Superior Court (SBCSC). It is not a simple feat in a county as large as San Bernardino. With each budget cycle, SBCSC looks at not only what can it do now, but what must it do in the future. Though SBCSC is funded at only 83 percent of the amount required for staff to do the work of all cases heard, the funding improved significantly with the passage of Governor Edmund G. Brown’s budget for fiscal year 2018-19. With the funding increases over the past year, SBCSC has made significant improvements in service to the public with much needed efficiencies:  SBCSC now offers remote appearances for the residents of the Needles and Big Bear Valley areas for traffic, non-traffic and misdemeanor modifications  Two new additional criminal courtrooms were added―one (1) to the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse and one (1) to the San Bernardino Justice Center

1

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

 A new additional limited civil courtroom was added to the San Bernardino Justice Center in order to rebalance the workload of over 10,000 active cases  The new public-facing website launched providing the public, litigants, attorneys, and our justice partners with a user-friendly online experience.  Self-help has expanded services by opening a new resource center at the Big Bear Courthouse, and added additional workshops through collaboration with the Department of Child Support Services and the Housing and Economic Rights Advocates In addition to increasing the number of courtrooms available to hear cases, SBCSC has been partnering with community organizations such as the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino and the Inland Counties Legal Services to provide access to justice in the areas of probate, conservatorship and unlawful detainer (eviction) cases. SBCSC is also looking at ways to increase services to those in the High Desert. Space is limited at the Victorville Courthouse, and SBCSC will explore all available options to provide equivalent access to justice to the residents of the High Desert. Over the last two years, SBCSC has made incremental improvements to the Odyssey case management system which launched for criminal and traffic case types in 2016. Since then, SBCSC has integrated a new approach for the rollout of Odyssey for civil, probate, mental health, family law, appeals and child support case types involving judicial officers, staff of all levels, designated case type experts― along with a governance structure, guiding principles and communication plan for a successful rollout. As SBCSC continues to provide increased services during upward shifts of a steady- state and expansion, SBCSC also will be prepared for economic downturns and recessions. Court services will not imitate an accordion―increasing in prosperity and then decreasing in tough times―but rather always be accessible regardless of place of residence in our county. As you read through the 2018 State of the Court report, you will see every effort made by SBCSC to not only provide access to justice, but to do it wisely.

Our Court exists to preserve and protect rights and to effect fair resolutions of all disputes through consistent, impartial and accessible administration of justice .

John P. Vander Feer

Nancy CS Eberhardt

Presiding Judge

Court Executive Officer/Clerk

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

2

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

ABOUT SBCSC

The California court system is the largest in the nation, with approximately 2,000 judicial officers and more than 6 million cases―serving over 39 million people. Prior to June 1998, California trial courts consisted of superior and municipal courts, each with its own jurisdiction and fixed number of judges. California voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting judges in each county to unify their superior and municipal courts into one single superior court for each county. SBCSC is one of 58 trial courts in California serving the largest county in the contiguous United States―reaching south of the San Bernardino Mountains, to the Nevada border and the Colorado River. Larger than the state of Massachusetts and Vermont combined, San Bernardino County is 12% of California’s geographic area. If you move San Bernardino County to the Bay Area, it covers all, or part of, twenty-three counties. Encompassing 24 cities and 104 unincorporated communities, SBCSC serves a population of 2,035,210. SBCSC encompasses 13 court facilities throughout the county’s 20,105 square miles. SBCSC judicial officers hear every case type under state law including civil, probate, mental health, family, juvenile dependency and delinquency, criminal, and traffic. A judge and jury sometimes hear witness testimony and other evidence and decide cases by applying the relevant law to the relevant facts. Cases range from disputes between landlords and tenants to corporate lawsuits; guardianships to court-ordered treatment in a psychiatric hospital; and simple traffic infractions to homicide.

3

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

GOVERNANCE

JUDGES Judges are public officials appointed or elected to hear and decide legal matters in the Court and have authority under Article VI of the California Constitution to administer justice. Commissioners are subordinate judicial officers appointed by a majority vote from the judges, employed by the superior court, and have the authority to administer justice in limited case types. PRESIDING JUDGE The Presiding Judge serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee and head of the Court. He or she exercises all of the authority and duties specified in the California Rules of Court, rule 10.603 Authority and duties of a presiding judge . 2-Year Term, even-numbered years (Elected by the full bench) ASSISTANT PRESIDING JUDGE The Assistant Presiding Judge serves as the Chair of the Budget Committee and serves as Acting Presiding Judge in the absence of the Presiding Judge. 2-Year Term, even-numbered years (Elected by the full bench) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee (EC) serves as the Board of Directors for SBCSC and exercises all duties authorized under Local Rule 231 and in the California Rules of Court, rule 10.605. The EC is comprised of 14 elected judges as voting members, and one commissioner as a non-voting member. (Elected by the full bench) COURT EXECUTIVE OFFICER The Court Executive Officer (CEO) serves at the pleasure of the Court and as the Court Clerk and Jury Commissioner of the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, responsible for managing approximately 1,064 employees. The CEO exercises all duties and authorities specified under the California Rule of Court, rule 10.610 and Local Rule 242. (Appointed by the full bench) EXECUTIVE TEAM The Executive Team is comprised of the Chief Deputy and deputy court executive officers over each court functional area. Under leadership of the CEO, the Executive Team has the overall responsibility for the daily management of employees in support of the Court’s mission.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

4

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

1 Risk/Safety Administrator

1 Executive Assistant

5 Management Analysts

Chief Deputy Court Executive Officer (Operations)

1 Training Analyst

1 Travel Coordinator

1 Executive Assistant

2 Deputy Court Executive Officers (Operations)

Deputy Court Executive Officer (Human Resources/Training)

18 Managers

1 HR Manager

57 Supervisors

1 Benefits/Payroll Administrator

415 Legal Processing Assistants

1 Training/Development Officer

167 Judicial Assistants

1 Senior HR Business Partner

28 Court Attendants

1 HR Analyst

48 Interpreters

1 HR Business Partner

82 Court Reporters

1 Training Specialist

29 Counselors

4 HR Technicians

18 Court Investigators

1 Senior HR Assistant

6 Probate Examiners

2 HR Assistants

1 Grand Jury Assistant

1 Executive Assistant

1 Senior Jury Services Assistant

5 Jury Services Assistants

2 Facilities/Records Clerk

49 Administrative Assistants

2 Administrative Clerk

5

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

73 JUDGES

PRESIDING JUDGE

15 COMMISSIONERS

1 HEARING OFFICERS

COURT EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Deputy Court Executive Officer (Technology/Facilities)

Deputy Court Executive Officer (Legal Research/Self-Help/ Contracts and Procurement)

Deputy Court Executive Officer (Finance/Communications)

1 Facilities and Planning Director

1 Finance Manager

1 Managing Attorney

3 Managers

1 Supervising Budget Analyst

1 Advisory Attorney

3 IT Supervisors

2 Accounting Supervisors

3 Supervising Attorneys

10 Application Analysts

1 Budget Analyst

20 Attorneys

8 Infrastructure Analysts

2 Budget Specialists

3 Supervising Paralegals

12 System Technicians

4 Accounting Technicians

20 Paralegals

1 Facilities/Records Supervisor

8 Senior Accounting Assistants

1 Contracts/Procurement Manager

1 Senior Facilities/Records Clerk

1 Accountant

1 Contracts Administrator

14 Facilities/Records Clerks

2 Account Clerks

2 Procurement Assistants

1 Facilities Clerk

1 Management Analyst

1 Administrative Assistant

10 Business Process Specialists

1 Confidential Admin. Assistant

1 Executive Assistant

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

6

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

COURTHOUSE FACILITIES

SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino

The San Bernardino Justice Center (SBJC) opened in 2014. The courthouse occupies a total of 383,000 square feet on a seven acre site, consisting of two parts― an 11- story courtroom tower and a three-story podium. SBJC serves as the center of operations for civil, criminal, probate, jury, administration, sheriff’s operation and holding, a children’s waiting room, and 35 courtrooms. HISTORIC COURTHOUSE & CENTRAL ANNEX 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino The Historic Courthouse was built in 1927 and has served as a welfare building in 1937, and a county library and heating plant in 1940. The four-story, 86,225 square-feet classically-inspired building, contains 10 courtrooms and serves as SBCSC’s primary Family Law center housing self-help, family court services, and a children’s waiting room.

JUVENILE DEPENDENCY 860 East Gilbert Street, San Bernardino

The Juvenile Dependency courthouse opened in 2003, housing four courtrooms, and permitting all juvenile dependency court services and related support agencies to reside in one building, including the Department of Children and Family Services and the County Counsel’s Office.

7

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY 900 East Gilbert Street, San Bernardino

The Juvenile Delinquency Courthouse is the only courthouse solely designated to hear cases in which anyone under the age of 18 is accused of breaking the law. This courthouse is a shared-space with Juvenile Probation, the Public Defender’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, housing three courtrooms.

CHILD SUPPORT COURTHOUSE 655 West 2nd Street, San Bernardino

The Child Support Courthouse is solely dedicated to hearing child support cases (financial and medical) from residents who reside in the inland valley. This shared- spaced is also occupied by the Department of Child Support Services, spanning 20,735 square feet with two courtrooms.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA COURTHOUSE 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga The Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse serves as the only courthouse solely dedicated to hearing criminal cases. The 233,721 square foot building houses 20 courtrooms, and is co-occupied by the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, Sheriff’s Department and Probation. The building recently received an upgrade, expanding the security and weapons screening area to accommodate new equipment.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

8

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

COURTHOUSE FACILITIES

FONTANA COURTHOUSE 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana

The Fontana Courthouse spans 21,366 square feet, and features a self-help center, children’s waiting room and eight courtrooms hearing small claims, landlord tenant (eviction), and traffic matters.

VICTORVILLE COURTHOUSE 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville

The Victorville Courthouse is jointly occupied by the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, Sheriff’s Department, and Juvenile Detention. The building houses 15 courtrooms hearing criminal, family law, and juvenile delinquency matters.

BARSTOW COURTHOUSE 235 East Mountain View Street, Barstow The Barstow Courthouse spans 18,396 square feet and is co-occupied by the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, and Sheriff’s Department. In this shared-space, the building houses two courtrooms hearing small claims, landlord-tenant, civil restraining orders and traffic matters.

9

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

BIG BEAR COURTHOUSE 477 Summit Boulevard, Big Bear Lake

The Big Bear Courthouse reopened on January 12, 2018 after being closed since 2013. Through a statewide innovation grant, SBCSC began offering remote video proceedings (RVP) for traffic and non-traffic infraction matters on the second and fourth Friday of each month. On November 9, 2018, RVP expanded to include misdemeanor modifications. The building houses one courtroom, a self-help center and clerk’s office.

JOSHUA TREE COURTHOUSE 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree

Nestled where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, the Joshua Tree Courthouse is located 75 miles east of downtown San Bernardino. The building is co-occupied by the District Attorney, Sheriff’s Department and Public Defender, and houses four courtrooms hearing civil, criminal and traffic matters.

NEEDLES COURTHOUSE 1111 Bailey Avenue, Needles

Lying on the western banks of the Colorado River, near the borders of Arizona and Nevada, the Needles Courthouse reopened in July 2017 providing limited services on the first Friday of each month. Housing a single courtroom, residents of the Needles area can resolve traffic infractions and misdemeanor cases using remote video proceedings.

ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 400 North Pepper Avenue, Colton Since 1999, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has housed the state’s only in-hospital courtroom serving mental health patients. Courtroom cases are almost all related to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, which can give doctors the right to treat patients who are unable to make their own health care decisions due to a serious mental illness. From 1983 to 1999, the court held these hearings at another county hospital.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

10

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

TECHNOLOGY

NEW CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

In February 2016, SBCSC deployed a new case management system (CMS) for criminal and traffic case types―replacing an almost two decade old system. The new CMS includes a full suite of products: Odyssey, Clerk Edition, Portal and Judge Edition. Each of these products were developed to address specific needs of the court and provide expanded functionality in their respective areas. The implementation of the new system provided for automation and integration of financial data, and enhanced reporting and imaging capabilities. This new CMS has laid the foundation for a future pa- perless environment, eFiling, paper-on-demand, and eSignatures. Starting in 2019, SBCSC will begin to deploy its second phase for the remaining case types which include: Small Claims, Landlord Tenant, Civil, Appeals, Probate, LPS, and Family Law including Child Support. The rollout of the new case types are broken into three separate tracks, one building on top of the other starting with Small Claims and Landlord Tenant; Civil and Appeals; and Family Law, Child Support, Probate, and LPS. We look forward to the final chapter of the CMS implementation followed by phases of continual enhancements and refinement to ensure a full functioning CMS that will serve the current and future needs of our court.

11

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

NEWLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE In 2018, SBCSC launched its newly redesigned public website which aims to provide the public, litigants, attorneys, and our justice partners with a user-friendly experience that serves their needs more efficiently. Modern features of the website include an interactive map of all court facilities, a dynamic list of most popular searches available through the “How do I…” menu, one-click access to court services, social media integration, and responsive design allowing for optimal viewing for easy reading, navigation, and minimal scrolling and resizing across a wide-range of devices, such as a mobile phone or tablet. The website redesign was over a year in the making, and the first since 2010. Great websites increase efficiency and accessibility by providing “online” not “inline” services. SBCSC’s newly redesigned public website better connects court services and information to the modern court user. SBCSC JOINS TWITTER On April 25, SBCSC joined Twitter to provide more timely information on court services and activities to our communities. Using the channels court users and justice partners use the most and in real-time, Twitter enables SBCSC to increase engagement and share information and alerts more quickly and effectively. In 2018, SBCSC reached nearly 23,000 users―informing them about court programs, court news, notices, and court closures.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

12

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

CIVIL Civil cases involve disputes between people or businesses over money or some injury to personal rights. Limited Civil cases concern a sum of money that amounts to $25,000 or less. Unlimited civil cases involve an amount of money that exceeds $25,000. Unlawful Detainer cases consist of disputes between landlords and tenants over the possession of a unit and unpaid rent. Small Claims cases are heard in a distinct civil court designed to allow litigants to resolve disputes quickly, inexpensively, and without the involvement of lawyers. Small Claims litigants may only pursue up to $10,000. ADDITIONAL COURTROOM FOR LIMITED CIVIL EXPANDS ACCESS TO JUSTICE Aligned with the SBCSC’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, a second limited civil courtroom was added at the San Bernardino Justice Center in September 2018, to rebalance the workload of over 10,000 active cases. As of November 2018, this new department had a caseload of over 5,000 cases. As a result, parties can reserve a motion date and have their case heard sooner than before.

CIVIL

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

10,747

UNLIMITED CIVIL

19,051

LIMITED CIVIL

11,350

UNLAWFUL DETAINER

EXPRESS WALK-UP WINDOWS ALLOW FOR QUICK TRANSACTIONS WITHOUT ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE

11,044

SMALL CLAIMS

In February 2018, the San Bernardino Justice Center opened an additional “express” walk-up window option for civil and probate matters. In July 2018, the Barstow Courthouse opened its first “express” walk-up window option for small claims and unlawful detainer matters. Individuals who use the express walk-up windows can quickly file or purchase documents and avoid the security screening process by remaining outside of the building. Ideal for simple transactions, this service also reduces courthouse congestion while benefiting those seeking additional assistance from the clerk’s office with complex filings.

52,192

TOTAL FILINGS

SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE CIVIL

13

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

CHILDREN’S

WAITING

ROOMS

CIVIL SETTLEMENT WEEK BRINGS PARTIES TOGETHER TO RESOLVE CASES WITHOUT GOING TO TRIAL SBCSC began its Civil Settlement Conference Week program in 2015. SBCSC has continually been an under-resourced court, with civil caseloads doubling that of the state average. As a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution program, Civil Settlement Conference week strives for parties to reach a mutually agreeable resolution of their dispute without going to trial. During settlement week, parties and counsel of selected cases, and those that volunteer to participate, meet for a private settlement conference conducted by a mediator (volunteer attorneys from a local bar association). Since its establishment in 2015, the program has maintained a success rate of over 50 percent―where parties have reached full or partial settlements without going to trial. In 2018, 225 cases were scheduled for settlement week and of those, 130 matters were either settled or dismissed. This saved approximately 650 trial days as a result of these matters being resolved prior to going to trial. The program’s success directly ties to the continued partnership with volunteer attorneys from the San Bernardino County Bar Association, High Desert Bar Association, and the Inland Empire Chapters of the Western Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, and Consumer Attorneys of California.

Children’s Waiting Rooms (CWRs) are a free service offered Monday- Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for children two and one-half years old (toilet- trained) and up to 14 years of age whose parents or guardians are conducting court business at the San Bernardino Justice Center, Historic and Fontana Courthouses. Modeled after successful waiting rooms in courthouses of other counties, this program provides a place for creativity and imagination away from the courtroom.

In 2018, the CWRs served approximately 1,750 children county-wide.

FONTANA COURTHOUSE

BARSTOW COURTHOUSE

JOSHUA TREE COURTHOUSE

COURTHOUSES THAT

HANDLE SMALL CLAIMS/ LANDLORDS TENANT

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

14

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

CRIMINAL Criminal cases involve charges filed by the state against one or more persons alleged to have committed criminal offenses. Felony cases are the most severe, as punishment could include death, imprisonment, or probation. Misdemeanor cases concern the prosecution of less severe crimes for which the maximum punishment generally consists of a $1,000 fine and a county jail term of one year or less.

TWO NEW CRIMINAL COURTROOMS OPEN TO REBALANCE WORKLOAD

SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER

RANCHO CUCAMONGA COURTHOUSE

In April 2018, the SBCSC opened two new criminal courtrooms located at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse and San Bernardino Justice Center to rebalance the workload.

VICTORVILLE COURTHOUSE

BIG BEAR COURTHOUSE

NEEDLES COURTHOUSE

JOSHUA TREE COURTHOUSE

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE CRIMINAL/NON- TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS

15

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

The courtroom locations were determined after careful review of three-year average filing statistics, assessed judicial officer needs, judicial allocations, and shortages throughout the county. In just over eight months, both courtrooms combined held 52 trials, 1,259 arraignments, and summoned nearly 3,000 jurors. These additions are a direct result of the changes made in how courts are funded, previous judicial appointments made by Governor Edmund G. Brown, the passage of AB 103―which reallocated two additional judgeships to San Bernardino County, and SBCSC’s continuing effort to restore services and increase access to justice. DESERT REGION RESIDENTS RESOLVE CASES USING REMOTE VIDEO PROCEEDINGS After commencing Remote Video Proceedings (RVP) for traffic and non-traffic infraction matters in July 2017, SBCSC expanded RVP at the Needles Courthouse to include misdemeanor modifications in July 2018. After this model was successfully implemented at the Needles Courthouse, the Big Bear Courthouse also expanded RVP to include misdemeanor modifications in November 2018.

CRIMINAL

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

13,901

FELONIES

37,284

MISDEMEANORS

4,688

NON-TRAFFIC

INFRACTIONS

440

HABEAS CORPUS

56,313

TOTAL FILINGS

RVP launches at the Needles Courthouse providing court services to the residents of the Needles area.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

16

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

FAMILY LAW

Family law actions are brought to resolve disputes regarding the status of marital or domestic partners. Issues involved could include child custody, child support, divorce, domestic violence, legal separation, nullity, paternity, and spousal or domestic partner support.

VIDEO CONFERENCING REMOVES GEOGRAPHICAL BARRIERS FOR CHILD CUSTODY RECOMMENDING COUNSELING SESSIONS As a program recipient of the Statewide Innovation Grant Program, video conferencing for child custody recommending counseling sessions launched in January 2018. Court users in remote locations often times have limited access to public transportation, and this limitation results in cases being continued because they are unable to be physically present for their appointment. Since the program launched in 2018, over 150 videoconferences have been conducted―virtually eliminating the unique geographic barriers of San Bernardino County by allowing court users to be fully engaged and participate in the mediation process. SECURED EMAILS IMPROVES PUBLIC ACCESS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE In June 2018, SBCSC began sending family court services reports directly to the court user using encrypted email messages. Prior to June 2018, court users were required to pick up their reports in person due to confidentiality. This new service improves the court users experience and enhances public access by providing a convenient solution to conduct court business. In just over six months, nearly 1,000 family court services reports have been sent electronically using encrypted email messages.

HISTORIC COURTHOUSE

VICTORVILLE COURTHOUSE

JOSHUA TREE COURTHOUSE

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE FAMILY

17

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

FAMILY LAW

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

NEW PROCEDURE STREAMLINES CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION AGREEMENTS In April 2018, SBCSC launched a pilot program using a new procedure that allows litigants to have their child custody and visitation agreements ordered by the Court without having to attend a court hearing. Since it’s launch, the pilot program has processed 463 agreements. SIMPLIFIED CASE RESOLUTION EXPEDITES JUDGMENTS FOR FAMILY LAW LITIGANTS Filing for divorce can be a lengthy process, but a new pilot program, called Fast Track Case Resolution, helps couples complete a simple divorce, legal separation and/or paternity case. After the case is reviewed and referred by a judicial officer to the fast track program, litigants can immediately receive services from the Self-Help Resource Center. Staff provides the parties with information and assistance of what will need to be completed by the hearing date. Fast Track Case Resolution matters are scheduled for the first and third Monday of each month. ACCESS TO VISITATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS Close to 100 non-custodial parents participated through the Access to Visitation Program in 2018. This grant-funded program provides free supervised visitation and exchange services to support and facilitate non-custodial parents’ access to and visitation with their children.

7,911

MARITAL

10,359

CHILD SUPPORT

6,449

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

2,061

PARENTAGE

970

FAMILY LAW-OTHER

27,750

TOTAL FILINGS

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

18

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

Honorable Christopher B. Marshall addressing the parents of the soon to be adopted children at the 2018 Annual Adoption Finalization Day celebration.

JUVENILE Juvenile Dependency cases involve the protection of children that have been or are at-risk of being abused, neglected or abandoned. The Department of Children and Family Services investigates allegations and brings cases to the Dependency Court. As described in the Welfare and Institutions Code, section 202, the goal of the juvenile court is to ensure protection and safety of the public and minor, and to strengthen the minor’s family ties whenever possible. If removal of a minor is determined by the juvenile court to be necessary, reunification of the minor with his or her family is the primary objective. Juvenile Delinquency matters involve minors who are alleged to have committed a violation of a law. The goal of the juvenile court is to seek the rehabilitation of the minor so that they may be productive members of society.

JUVENILE DEPENDENCY

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

VICTORVILLE COURTHOUSE

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE JUVENILE

19

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

CELEBRATING A FAMILY FOR EVERY CHILD

Over the last two decades, the Juvenile Dependency Court has collaborated with the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services Department to host an annual adoption finalization event. In 2018, hundreds of family members, Children and Family Services staff, court staff, and members of the community came together to finalize 86 adoptions at the 21 st Annual Adoption Finalization Day celebration, Our Treasure Forever . Juvenile Presiding Judge Annemarie G. Pace addressed the audience with a focus on what it means to “treasure” someone. When addressing the adoptive parents, she stated, “remember this day, remember the commitment you are making and remember why you are adopting these children.” The event brought out other activities for children which included a treasure map, balloon twists, face painting, and photo opportunities with the judges. San Bernardino Children’s Fund donated teddy bears with a special message to each adopted child which read, “Happy Adoption Day! The Love of a Family is Life’s Greatest Gift.”

JUVENILE

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

3,444

DEPENDENCY-

ORIGINAL PETITION

6,214

DEPENDENCY-NUMBER

OF MINORS

642

DEPENDENCY-

ADOPTIONS

1,526

DELINQUENCY–

ORIGINAL PETITIONS

1,082

DELINQUENCY-NUMBER

OF MINORS

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

20

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health filings pertain to the involuntary civil commitment of mentally ill individuals with severe mental illnesses, who are too ill to seek care voluntarily. Court proceedings seek to safeguard individual rights while determining the course of mandatory behavioral health treatment when necessary. Additionally, some individuals may be appointed a legal conservator who provides for their basic needs and medical treatment for a period of one year. CALIFORNIA’S ONLY IN-HOSPITAL COURTROOM SERVES MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS Through collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health, a courtroom inside the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s Behavior Health Unit opened in 1999. The State’s only in-hospital courtroom offers patients a safer and more expeditious hearing process than transporting them to a courthouse without medical staff. In most cases, after a patient’s case is heard, they are immediately returned to treatment, rather than waiting at a courthouse to be returned to hospital. The Behavioral Health Court coordinates with seven other mental health facilities in the area to bring patients in for hearings. Last year, the Court heard more than 2,000 cases, up from 1,600 in 2016.

MENTAL HEALTH

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

97

LPS CONSERVATORSHIP

1,227

MENTAL HEALTH-

OTHER (INCLUDING

HABEAS CORPUS)

1,324

TOTAL FILINGS

ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH

Filings include renewals of conservatorships

21

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

PROBATE

PROBATE

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

394

CONSERVATORSHIP

615

GUARDIANSHIPS

844

47 th District Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (center), with Assistant Presiding Judge Michael A. Sachs (left) and Judge Tara Reilly (second from right) celebrate with LASSB staff during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the CAJ program.

ESTATES

634

Under California probate law, estate matters involve the legal process of administering the property and assets left behind by a deceased individual. Conservatorship matters consist of the legal process by which one adult is appointed to care for another adult who cannot address their own needs or finances. In guardianship matters, the Court awards someone other than a child’s parent the custodial rights of the child, and in some cases grants the guardian the ability to manage the child’s property or estate.

PROBATE-OTHER

199

TRUSTS

2,686

CAREGIVERS ACCESSING JUSTICE PROGRAM ASSISTS PROBATE LITIGANTS AT NO COST

TOTAL FILINGS

The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino (LASSB) launched the Caregivers Accessing Justice (CAJ) program on March 15, 2018 with an official ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5, 2018. The CAJ program provides free legal assistance in English and Spanish to self-represented litigants with guardianship or conservatorship cases. Qualified self-represented litigants can receive assistance on service issues, form completion, and answers to case-related guardianship and conservatorship related questions. The LASSB surpassed their goal of serving 300 litigants, by serving over 700 litigants in 2018.

SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE PROBATE

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

22

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

TRAFFIC Traffic-related offenses begin when a law enforcement officer cites an individual operating a motor vehicle for violating a provision of state law, most often the California Vehicle Code. Traffic offenses may be filed as infractions (punishable by fine only) or misdemeanors (punishable by a $1,000 fine and a county jail term of one year). NEW PILOT PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR SAME DAY WALK-IN TRAFFIC HEARINGS On October 2, 2018, the Fontana Courthouse started a walk-in traffic calendar pilot program to provide an additional level of customer service to those who planned to have a hearing on the date they promised to appear before the Court. As a initial pilot program, walk-ins are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and calendared for a 10:30 a.m. hearing. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or until 25 court users have registered. In just over two months, the pilot program has resolved 460 cases and has expanded to two courtrooms.

BARSTOW COURTHOUSE

BIG BEAR COURTHOUSE

FONTANA COURTHOUSE

JOSHUA TREE COURTHOUSE

NEEDLES COURTHOUSE

COURTHOUSES THAT HANDLE TRAFFIC

23

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

TRAFFIC

CASE FILINGS

FY 2017/2018

33,241

MISDEMEANOR

INFRACTIONS

154,787

33 rd District Assemblymember Jay Obernolte presents Presiding Judge John P. Vander Feer with a Certificate of Recognition for the reopening of the Big Bear Courthouse on January 12, 2018.

TRAFFIC

INFRACTIONS

4,688

REMOTE VIDEO PROCEEDINGS ALLOWS LITIGANTS TO HEAR THEIR CASES WITHOUT COMMUTING Effective January 12, 2018, the SBCSC relaunched court services for the residents of the Big Bear Valley and reopened the Big Bear Courthouse after being closed since 2013. Through the use of technology, residents can have their traffic or non-traffic infraction matters heard by video, every second and fourth Friday of each month. Remote Video Proceedings (RVP) provides residents of the Big Bear Valley the convenience of having their cases heard by a judicial officer sitting in the Victorville Courthouse without having to commute. Other court services provided include assistance from the Self-Help Resource Center to assist members of the public with questions regarding court processes and procedures, provide resources and tools to assist with form preparation. The Clerk’s Office is also open to the public providing limited services including non-cash payments, traffic school sign-ups, payment extensions, court date scheduling and general court information.

NON-TRAFFIC

INFRACTIONS

188,028

TOTAL FILINGS

TRAFFIC

IN NUMBERS

27,226

REQUESTS FOR

TRAFFIC SCHOOL

75,823

PAYMENT

On November 9, 2018, RVP expanded to included misdemeanor modifications. For more information, see page 16.

TRANSACTIONS

17,537

PAYMENT PLANS

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

24

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

Self-help center staff conducts a Small Claims Action Workshop with the public discussing most common issues.

SELF-HELP Many litigants that appear before a judicial officer in SBCSC are self-represented. Meaning, these are individuals who advocate on their own behalf, rather than being represented and guided through the legal process by an attorney. Through designated funding secured through the Judicial Council and from local community organizations, SBCSC provides assistance to litigants in Family Law, Child Support, Guardianship, Landlord/Tenant (eviction), and Small Claims cases who are not represented by an attorney. To meet the evolving needs of our community, SBCSC has expanded resources available in 2018 which included: new workshops, collaborations with other agencies, and an additional resource center location, to name a few.

RESOURCE CENTERS

On a first-come, first-served basis, the Resource Center provides self-represented litigants with assistance in-person, by phone and also by email with family law, child support, guardianship, landlord-tenant (eviction), and small claims cases. Resource Center staff can answer questions regarding court processes and procedures, review forms for completion, provide educational materials (including samples), and referral information for local non-profit organizations. Resource Centers are located throughout the county including at the Historic Courthouse, Joshua Tree Courthouse, Victorville Courthouse, Rancho Cucamonga Law Library, Child Support and Barstow Courthouses.

25

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

FAMILY LAW FORMS ASSISTANT

In 2018, SBCSC launched a public computer-lab with access to the Family Law Forms Assistant (FLFA) at the Historic Courthouse. Introduced in 2017, the FLFA is an online program that allows litigants to modify and submit their child custody, visitation, child support or spousal support orders over the internet for review by self-help center staff without having to wait in-line for services. The public computer lab allows litigants the same convenience as those with direct access to a computer, and as a result, reduces wait times for those requiring in-person consultations. EXPANDED SERVICES On January 12, 2018, SBCSC opened a resource center at the Big Bear Courthouse. Residents of the Big Bear Valley can receive assistance on family law, child support, guardianship, landlord- tenant (eviction) and small claims matters on the fourth Friday of every month. SBCSC has collaborated with the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) since 2015, offering one-on-one sessions to explain child support procedures and answer questions. In 2018, SBCSC expanded services to family law litigants by offering workshops to increase the availability of services and reach a greater audience at the DCSS Ontario and Victorville offices. During these workshops SBCSC staff answer questions about child support procedures and processes, and assist litigants with form completion. NEW PARTNERSHIPS In January 2018, SBCSC began partnering with the Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA), a statewide, not-for-profit legal services and advocacy organization, that offers free financial wellness workshops for the public. Workshops provide legal information to the public on a wide variety of topics, including debt collection and credit, and how to keep your home and avoid foreclosure.

2018 SBCSC SELF-HELP STATISTICS

Total Incidents of Self- Help Services Provided to Court Customers

66,072

46,034 Provided Information or Referral

17,589 In-Person Assistance

2,449 Over the Telephone Assistance

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

26

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

JURY SBCSC uses the one-day or one-trial jury service program. This means that a juror will serve for one day or the duration of a trial. Typically, if you are not chosen after the first day of service, then your service is complete for one year. If you are selected to serve on a jury, after the trial is over, your service is completed for one year. Most people who report for jury service and serve on a trial, find the experience to be fascinating and rewarding. Jury Administration is responsible for summoning jurors, helping jurors reschedule their service, answering questions over the phone and via email about jury services, and paying juror fees and mileage. A six-person team is located at the San Bernardino Justice Center and on average receives close to 120,000 phone calls, responds to over 10,000 emails, and summons over 800,000 prospective jurors for jury service annually. Recent enhancements have been made to help facilitate the jury check-in process and make notifications about jury service more convenient. Jury kiosks have been operating in courthouses for over two years which reduces the check-in time spent by simply allowing jurors to check-in or complete their jury questionnaire by scanning their summons barcode. In addition to the jury kiosks, prospective jurors can sign-up to receive notifications about their jury service via text, phone call, or email, at sb-court.org.

27

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

JURY STATISTICS 2018

807,944 TOTAL JURORS SUMMONED

Phone Calls Received Through Automated System 473,616

Staff Answered Phone Calls 116,364

10,200 Emails Received

106,806 TOTAL JURORS SERVED

190,893 Online Notifications Sign-ups

118,325 Juror Questionnaires Completed Electronically

479

TOTAL JURY TRIALS

$488,167 Jurors Fees Paid

$164,015 Jurors Mileage Paid

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

28

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

COLLABORATIVE COURTS

The SBCSC delivers multi-phased and multi-agency collaborative justice programs that combine judicial supervision with rehabilitation treatment services that are carefully monitored and focused with the goal of reducing recidivism. Collaborative Treatment Courts are distinguished by the following core values:

 NON-ADVERSARIAL DECISION MAKING

COMMUNITY OUTREACH



TEAM APPROACH

ACCOUNTABILITY





TREATMENT SUPERVISION

HOLISTIC APPROACH





Veteran Treatment Court graduate Jonathon “Doc” Farrow speaks about the impact of Veterans Court in his life at the 2018 Collaborative Justice Court Celebration.

29

WWW.SB-COURT.ORG

STATE OF THE COURT REPORT | 2018 EDITION

Collaborative justice programs in San Bernardino are dependent on the dedication and multiagency partnership from the following:

JUVENILE DRUG COURT Juvenile Drug Court provides intensive judicial intervention and intensive community supervisor of juveniles involved in substance abuse that is not generally available through the traditional court process. VETERANS TREATMENT COURT Veterans Treatment Court targets the root cause of veterans’ criminal behavior. The goal of Veterans Court is to resolve criminal cases through treatment and support. Veterans take part in a program tailored to address their needs, with judicial supervision, other veterans, treatment providers, mentors and support teams.  Experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brian Injuries (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), substance or other diagnosed disorders as a result of their military service  Agree to participate in a minimum of 15-18 month treatment program SHELTER COURT Held in a community location, Shelter Court is a special court session for homeless defendants to resolve outstanding traffic and/or misdemeanor cases. Homeless defendants can have their cases dismissed upon successful completion of community services and attending drug and/or alcohol addiction meetings, if applicable. Resolution of outstanding warrants not only meets a fundamental need of homeless people, but also eases court case processing backlogs and reduces homelessness.  Must be eligible for Veteran Affairs benefits Eligibility:  Have served in the military  Charged with a Qualifying Felony

District Attorney’s Office



Law Offices of the Public Defender



Department of Behavioral Health



Department of Human Services



Adult and Juvenile Probation



Department of Veterans Affairs



Sheriff’s Department



 Various other community-based service providers, recovery programs and housing

TREATMENT COURTS

ADULT DRUG COURT Drug Courts are a specially designed court calendar that provide an alternative to traditional criminal justice prosecution for non-violent drug-related offenses. Program goals include reducing recidivism and substance abuse among offenders and increase the offenders likelihood of successful rehabilitation.

MENTAL HEALTH COURT

Mental Health Courts are a type of problem-solving court that combines judicial supervision with community mental health treatment and other support services in order to reduce criminal activity and improve the quality of life for participants.

Eligibility:

Charged with a Qualifying Felony



Reside in San Bernardino County



No gang affiliation



 Acknowledgement of substance abuse/mental health problem  Willingness and ability to participate in a multi- phased rehabilitative program

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (SBCSC)

30