Judicial Council of California
Public Information Officer: Lynn Holton, 415-865-7726
Media Assistant: Daisy Yee, 415-865-8929/40

May 25, 2007 - NR # 32/07

Yolo County Marks Milestone By Transferring Court Facilities to State

San Francisco - Yolo County has become one of the first counties in California to transfer all of its court facilities to state governance under the Trial Court Facilities Act.

To date, 62 court facilities have completed the transition from county responsibility to state governance. Effective in 2002, the Trial Court Facilities Act is designed to ensure that all Californians have equal access to safe, secure, and adequate court facilities.

The action in Yolo results from a recent vote by the county Board of Supervisors to transfer three remaining court facilities, which helps ensure that a project approved by the Judicial Council for fiscal year 2008-2009 funding can be eligible to move forward should it receive project funding in the fiscal year 2008-2009 state Budget Act.

"This has been a complex and challenging process, but to be among the first in the state is a very significant accomplishment," noted Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair MarikoYamada. "We look forward to a long, positive working relationship with our partners in the court."

"The Yolo transfer is significant for a lot of reasons," noted Jim Perry, Court Executive Officer of the Superior Court of Yolo County. "The transfer paves the way for the new Woodland courthouse project that has already been approved by Judicial Council for funding in 2008-2009, and the transfer has been recognized by the state as a collaborative movement to get something done."

The three facilities that have transferred this year include the Family Court, located in the old juvenile hall building, a portion of the old jail, and the historic courthouse adjacent to the County Administration Building. Ownership, occupancy and maintenance of the historic courthouse will revert to the county when vacated by the courts. A fourth building transferred last year.

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.