Funding for new courthouses, self help and more in Newsom's budget proposal

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye issued a statement on January 8 on the Governor’s budget proposal for the judicial branch.

Highlights from that statement include "$19.1 million ongoing for trial courts to continue to provide self-help services to the millions of Californians going to court without an attorney each year."

"$12.3 million (increasing to $58.4 million by 2024-25) to expand the use of an online ability-to-pay tool which allows Californians to ask for relief on fines for infractions."

 "$11.7 million for trial courts to process an anticipated increase in unlawful detainer and small claims filings resulting from AB 3088, which provided pandemic-related relief to tenants and landlords."

$2.1 billion over the next five years to fund construction of critically needed new courthouses. The proposal includes funding for 14 replacement and renovation projects on a priority list approved by the Judicial Council."