2020 State of the Court Report

for efficiencies and cost improvements. This exposed opportunities for improvement and will make us more nimble and efficient in the future. SBSC and its Community Outreach Committee were compelled to address bias and racism in a public forum with justice leaders in San Bernardino County. On July 30 and September 17, 2020, SBSC hosted two townhalls to address racism, answered live questions and concerns received directly from the public. “SBSC will continue to advance initiatives that achieve our mission of providing equal access to justice for all regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability or socio-economic status,” said Presiding Judge Michael A. Sachs. “Discrimination and racism will not be tolerated nor accepted.”

We also reflected inwardly on issues of diversity and bias – personally and professionally. A committee pursuant to Judicial Standard 10.20 was initiated and charged with reaching out to the community to improve SBSC. An internal staff Diversity and Inclusion Committee was formed to review bias within the court family and provide recommendations for education and policy improvements. SBSC has changed, and likely will not return to normal, but instead embrace and move forward with a new perspective and new beginnings.

Presiding Judge Michael A. Sachs

Court Executive Officer Nancy CS Eberhardt