Judicial Council of California: News Release. Public Information Office (415) 865-7740.
Release Date: October 25, 2001 Release Number:  77 

State Task Force Issues Final Report On California’s Trial Court Facilities

San Francisco—The statewide Task Force on Court Facilities has forwarded its final report to the Governor, Legislature, and Judicial Council following a three-year study that included on-site visits to all state court facilities.  The report has been distributed to trial courts and county officials.

The key recommendation of the final report remains the same as the panel’s Second Interim Report released last April–the state should assume full financial responsibility for California’s 451 trial court facilities over a three-year period.  In addition, the task force recommended urgency legislation be adopted to reimburse counties for pre-approved court facility projects during the transition period.

Trial Courts Need Repair

A significant number of California court buildings need repair, renovation, or maintenance, the report found.  Common problems throughout the state are inadequate security, safety, and access for the disabled.

The Task Force on Court Facilities was created by the Legislature as part of the Trial Court Funding Act of 1997, with representation from the counties and the judicial, executive, and legislative branches.  Chair of the task force is Presiding Justice Daniel J. Kremer, of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego.)

“The final report and its recommendations were arrived at after careful deliberations over the best way to provide California with the court facilities it needs to meet the challenge of providing equal access to justice for all the state’s residents,” Justice Kremer said.  The task force included members who reflected the interests of various levels of government including counties and the three branches of state government.

The task force developed estimates of the capital costs of providing the necessary improvements to facilities to meet both current and future needs.  Current need was estimated to be range of $281 to $338 million annual investment for 10 years, depending upon the options selected.  The report also estimates the annual cost for new facilities to meet projected growth through the year 2020 is $104 million for 20 years.

How To Access Report

The final report is available at http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/facilities and on CD-ROM.  For copies, please write Task Force on Court Facilities, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco CA 94102-3550.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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