Goal VII. Adequate, Stable, and Predictable Funding for a Fully Functioning Branch

California’s state court system, the largest in the nation, serves an increasingly diverse population of nearly 40 million people. The judicial branch is accountable for ensuring that the courts remain accessible to all Californians, court procedures are fair and understandable to court users and the public, and court services are provided to earn the public’s trust and confidence in the statewide administration of justice. Accomplishing these fundamental responsibilities of government requires a reliable funding base that will sustain branch operations on a continual, uninterrupted basis.

The branch must pursue a comprehensive approach to financially adapt to a shifting state budget environment. This strategic goal represents a call for continued advocacy and a resolve to define new financial strategies.

For policy details, please see the complete Judicial Branch Strategic Plan.
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Recommended Best Practices

  1. Consistent with the Judicial Council’s legislative priorities, continue advocacy for fund balances that are sufficient to allow courts to manage cash flow challenges, a method for stable and reliable growth funding for courts to address annual cost increases in baseline operations, and sufficient additional resources to allow courts to:
    1. Improve physical access to the courts by keeping courts open.
    2. Expand access by increasing the ability of court users to conduct branch business online.
    3. Maintain critical staff, programs, and services to avoid reducing or eliminating services.
  2. Focus on comprehensive solutions for managing scarce resources to achieve a position of relative strength in uncertain economic times. Such solutions include, but are not limited to alternative funding mechanisms, business process reengineering to achieve further efficiencies, and program evaluation to support financial planning.