Connecting with Constituencies

Court Leaders and You

The California courts recognize the importance of listening to the public. Connecting with Constituencies engages constituency groups in meaningful dialogue to help court leaders in their planning and court improvement efforts.  Court leaders acknowledge the value and importance of engaging constituencies, particularly in light of the Judicial Council's recent public trust and confidence studies, which emphasize the importance of expanding court and community collaboration and connecting more with communities as a way to increase the public's trust and confidence in the courts.

Examples of constituency groups:

  • Community leaders (e.g., local political, social, minority, faith-based, labor leaders)
  • Court users (e.g., litigants, families and children, parents, foster care children, juveniles, self-represented and non-English speaking litigants, disabled, drug court participants, business representatives)
  • Jurors
  • Attorneys (public and private)
  • Different racial, ethnic or cultural groups
  • Justice system partners (e.g., law enforcement, social services, treatment providers, schools)
  • Local and state legislators and other policy makers.
  • County agencies/partners
  • Academic community (e.g., teachers and students)

Profiles

The following profiles illustrate the many approaches that California courts have taken to connect with their constituencies — from going on a Hmong-language radio show to taking direct action in response to public feedback. Innovation in court administration benefits greatly from hearing the voices of court users, judicial branch partners, and other stakeholders, and carefully considering how to meld these voices into comprehensive and enduring plans for the future.