Judicial Council Releases Annual Court Statistics Report

San Francisco-During fiscal year 2005-2006, more than 9.2 million cases were filed in the California court system, and more than 11,000 jury trials were held, according to the Judicial Council's 2007 Court Statistics Report.

The report provides detailed statewide caseload data for fiscal year 2005-2006 as well as 10-year trend data on a wide range of court business. Comprehensive individual county data also are published in the online version of the report, posted on the California Courts Web site at www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/3_stats.htm.

The report is prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts, the staff agency of the Judicial Council. Article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution requires the Judicial Council to survey the condition of business in the state courts and to report and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.

The statistical report is a companion to the Judicial Council's annual report, which highlights judicial branch programs to improve public access, fairness, and accountability in court administration. The annual report for 2006 will be published later this summer.

This and prior years' Court Statistics Report and annual reports are available online at www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/. Printed copies can be obtained by calling the California Courts Infoline at 800-900-5980.

A snapshot of court caseload in this report follows.

California Supreme Court

The court issued 125 written opinions.
Filings totaled 9,261, and dispositions totaled 9,878.
Automatic appeals arising out of judgments of death totaled 22 cases, and dispositions of automatic appeals numbered 37.
The court ordered 16 Court of Appeal opinions depublished.
Courts of Appeal

Filings for the Courts of Appeal totaled 23,860 (15,249 notices of appeal and 8,611 original proceedings).
Dispositions added up to 24,084 (15,693 appeals and 8,391 original proceedings).
Dispositions of appeals by written opinion numbered 10,890.
Of the cases disposed by written opinion, 8,024 were affirmed, 1,057 were reversed, and 290 were dismissed.
Statewide, 7 percent of Court of Appeal majority opinions were published.
Superior Courts

Superior court case filings reached 9,215,885, and dispositions totaled 7,828,330.
Civil filings totaled 1,418,490, and civil dispositions numbered 1,268,153.
Criminal filings numbered 7,620,297, and criminal dispositions totaled 6,415,041.
Juvenile filings totaled 148,917, and juvenile dispositions added up to 118,995.
Family filings totaled 454,880, and family dispositions totaled 360,931.
Civil unlimited cases reached disposition at the following pace: 68 percent were disposed within 12 months, 85 percent within 18 months, and 91 percent within 24 months.
Civil limited cases reached disposition at a somewhat faster pace, with 87 percent disposed within 12 months, 94 percent within 18 months, and 96 percent within 24 months.
Criminal cases involving felonies reached disposition at the following pace: 58 percent were disposed in less than 30 days, 68 percent were disposed in less than 45 days, 82 percent were disposed in less than 90 days, and 95 percent were disposed in less than 12 months.
During this period, 11,418 jury trials were conducted.

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.