Vol. 4, Issue 2 │ November 2024
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MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE: JUDICIAL ETHICS IN COLLABORATIVE COURTS
The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) is pleased to bring you this edition of The Source, with a spotlight on judicial ethics in collaborative courts. In this issue, we discuss the following topics:
• What are collaborative courts?
• Why should you care about collaborative justice if you aren’t in a collaborative court assignment?
• What unique ethical considerations are faced by collaborative court judges?
• How do collaborative courts affect public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary?
• What is a trauma-informed court?
• Why should collaborative court judges worry about self-care?
We invite you to read on to learn more.
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Q&A with Judge Erica Y. Yew Judge Erica R. Yew has served on the Superior Court of Santa Clara County since 2001, where she has played an instrumental part in its robust collaborative court program. Judge Yew sat down with Jody Vakili, editor of The Source, to answer some questions about the unique ethical issues faced by collaborative court judges.
Q: What are collaborative courts?
A: Collaborative courts, also called problem-solving or treatment courts, promote accountability for youth and adults by combining judicial supervision with services and treatment to help them address the issues that led to their court involvement. Collaborative justice courts have a dedicated calendar, bench officer, and team of justice partners to address specific types of issues. Often the team will provide connections for an array of services, including long-term housing, transportation, education, employment, government assistance programs, grants for debt relief or payment of utilities, cellphones and laptops, food, clothing, tattoo removal, subsidized childcare, vision, dental and medical care, and medication evaluation and management.
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There are more than 400 collaborative courts in California, in nearly every jurisdiction in the state. These courts include adult and juvenile drug courts, dependency drug courts, adult and juvenile mental health courts, veterans’ courts, domestic violence courts, DUI courts, homeless courts, peer courts for juveniles, and reentry courts, along with newer courts such as tribal healing to wellness court and court for commercially sexually exploited children.
Collaborative courts tout many successes, including saving lives. Other findings include greater retention rates, reduced drug use and criminal behavior while in the program, reduced costs (from reduced incarceration, criminality, criminal justice costs, and social services agency costs), and reduced recidivism even after participants leave the program.
As a result of changes in the law over the past several years, those who struggle with addiction, mental health illnesses, anger management, and more may access services and diversion programs in courtrooms not expressly designated as collaborative courts.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Judge Michelle Williams Court is Appointed to the Federal Bench
Judge Michelle Williams Court, CJEO’s newest member, was recently confirmed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Sadly, this means her short tenure with CJEO will be coming to an end. The committee is grateful for the valuable insight and support she has provided.
Judge Court was appointed to the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in 2012 by Governor Jerry Brown and has served as supervising judge of the civil division since 2022.
Upon her recent confirmation, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla said: “Throughout her career, Judge Michelle Williams Court has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving low-income clients and fighting for justice in the greater Los Angeles community. She has earned the respect of her peers with 18 years of state and federal civil litigation experience while generously dedicating time to support local Los Angeles legal and community organizations. After 12 years as a Los Angeles superior court judge, I look forward to her continued service to the Central District.”
Judge Court will be the fifth African American woman to serve a lifetime appointment in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She will be greatly missed, and the committee wishes her the best with this new chapter.
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ABOUT US
CJEO is an independent California Supreme Court committee of 12 judicial officers, appointed by the court, with delegated constitutional authority to issue opinions on judicial ethics. Click here to learn more about CJEO’s history, mission, and membership.
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CJEO committee meeting, July 2024. Back row from left: CJEO Attorney Sarah E. Andre, Justice Shama Mesiwala, Commissioner Belinda A. Handy, Justice Marla J. Miller, Judge George J. Abdallah (on screen), Justice Douglas P. Miller (on screen), Justice Justice Judith L. Haller (Ret.), Judge Robert J. Trentacosta, Judge Michael T. Garcia (Ret.), Judge Erica R. Yew. Front row from left: Judge Michelle Williams Court, Justice Ronald B. Robie, Judge Samantha P. Jessner, CJEO Attorney Jody M. Vakili.
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To speak with a judge on the CJA Judicial Ethics Committee for quick informal responses to questions about the Code of Judicial Ethics, judicial officers and candidates may call:
CJA Judicial Ethics Hotline: 916-239-4068
Toll free: 866-432-1CJA (1252)
Email: info@caljudges.org
Monday–Friday, 9a.m. to 5p.m., excluding holidays
Please see the CJA website ethics hotline page for more information.
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Thank You to Our Readers from Our Members
Justice Ronald B. Robie (Chair), Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District
Justice Douglas P. Miller (Vice-Chair), Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two
Judge George J. Abdallah, Jr., Superior Court of San Joaquin County
Judge Michelle Williams Court, Superior Court of Los Angeles County
Judge Michael T. Garcia (Ret.), Superior Court of Sacramento County
Justice Judith L. Haller (Ret.), Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One
Commissioner Belinda A. Handy, Superior Court of Riverside County
Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner, Superior Court of Los Angeles County
Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District
Justice Marla J. Miller, Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Two
Judge Robert J. Trentacosta, Superior Court of San Diego County
Judge Erica R. Yew, Superior Court of Santa Clara County
Nancy Black, CJEO Committee Counsel
Jody M. Vakili, CJEO Staff Attorney and Editor, The Source
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