Family Court Accountability Coalition

The Family Court Accountability Coalition engages in Judicial, Legislative and Executive Branch advocacy on behalf of socioeconomically disadvantaged family court stakeholders. According to the Judicial Council of California, 75 percent of family court litigants are self-represented because they cannot afford an attorney. Yet many courts cater to attorneys and the parties they are paid to represent, while denying the indigent meaningful and effective access to family court services.

Showing posts with label Legislation. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

New Law Requires Judicial Branch Comply with California Whistleblower Protection Act

State Auditor Authority Over Judicial Branch Expanded by New Legislation

A bill signed into law yesterday will require the Judicial Branch to comply with the California Whistleblower Protection Act (CWPA). The Judicial Branch will now be required to post information about the CWPA in any place where information for employees is posted. he law, passed at the request of California State Auditor Elaine Howle, also revises the statutory definition of "improper governmental activity" to include violations of California Rules of Court.

3rd District Court of Appeal – Sacramento -Justice Vance W. Raye – Justice – Coleman A. Blease – Justice Ronald B. Robie – Justice William J. Murray Jr. – Justice George W. Nicolson – Justice M. Kathleen Butz – Justice Elena J. Duarte – Justice Harry E. Hull Jr. – Justice Louis R. Mauro – Justice Andrea Lynn Hoch – Third District Court of Appeal California

Thursday, April 29, 2010

One Party Self-Represented In More Than 75 Percent of Family Law Cases

Key Statistic Omitted from Elkins Task Force Final Report

Task Force Whitewashes Critical Statistic

In many California communities, more than 75 percent of family court cases have at least one self-represented party, according to the Elkins Task Force Final Report and Recommendations [pdf], released this month by the Judicial Council.

"Given the complexity of family law issues, why do people represent themselves? All too often they have no choice...What is at stake in the family court process are long lasting decisions that affect people's most fundamental and important aspects of their lives."

What the report conveniently doesn't mention, and apparently whitewashes is the number of family court cases in which one side has an attorney and the other doesn't. Based on our research and anecdotal evidence, that is the critical statistic.