Nine California Court Programs Win Top Awards

Judicial Council Kleps Awards

San Francisco-The Judicial Council of California today announced the recipients of the 2006-2007 Ralph N. Kleps Awards for Improvement in Administration of the Courts, an annual awards program recognizing innovation in the state's courts.

From a field of 27 nominations, the council selected 9 exemplary programs for awards that will be presented on September 27, 2007, at the California Bench-Bar Biannual Conference in Anaheim.

Created in 1991 in honor of Ralph N. Kleps, the first administrative director of the California courts, the awards are given in five categories based on the number of authorized judicial positions (AJPs) in the courts. Programs nominated must be innovative, transferable to other courts, and in operation for at least one year. Summaries of the winning programs follow.

2006-2007 KLEPS AWARD WINNERS

2-10 AJPs

Help Court and Community Referral System:Superior Court of California, County of Napa

A comprehensive, easy-to-use, public access database of community services that enables the court to expeditiously refer families and individuals to those services.

11-39 AJPs

Court Clerk Career Progression Opportunity Program (3C-P-O):Superior Court of California, County of Butte

A self-directed program that allows deputy court clerks to promote to the advanced-journey level through a structured certification process.

Court Case Information Web Application-Justice Partner Access Web Site (JPAW):Superior Court of California, County of Monterey

A case management system providing criminal case information for county justice system partners, attorneys, and the public.

40+ AJPs

ACTION (After Criminal Traffic Infraction One-Stop Network) Center:Superior Court of California, County of Fresno

A centralized location providing immediate, postsentencing assistance to offenders who need to interpret court orders, obtain necessary referrals, and set up and make payments.

JusticeCorps:Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles

A collaborative effort by the court, local colleges, and a legal aid organization to recruit and train 100 students. Participants perform a year of community service by assisting self-represented litigants throughout the legal process in unlawful detainer, family law, and small claims cases.

Special Category-Appellate Courts

Judicial Extern Program:Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District

A comprehensive education program that benefits both the court and the externs by providing intensive background information about trial and appellate court proceedings.

Special Category-Collaborative Projects

Collaborative Information Services (IS) Project:Superior Courts of California, Counties of Butte and Glenn

An intercounty information services collaboration that allows a small court to have access to the technical resources and support of a large court.

Four-Court Regional Appellate Division:Superior Courts of California, Counties of Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, and Sierra

An appellate division merged from four courts that provides improved efficiency in processing and hearing limited jurisdiction cases, misdemeanor infractions, and traffic court appeals.

Regional Court and Library Partnership:Superior Courts of California, Counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey

A collaboration among the superior courts and public libraries in the four counties to help librarians better serve the public by training librarians in the use of courts' Web sites and other online legal resources and educating them about the availability of courts' self-help programs and family law facilitators.

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The Judicial Council is the policymaking body of the California courts, the largest court system in the nation. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. The Administrative Office of the Courts carries out the official actions of the council and promotes leadership and excellence in court administration.