Chief justice names group to investigate next steps in pretrial changes

Twelve judicial officers have been selected by the Judicial Council to assess next steps as the state moves toward a new model of pretrial detention.

"In California, we are leading and experiencing reforms driven by best practices, but also pilot projects, court decisions, and legislation," Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye said in statement Tuesday. "This work group will help continue progress toward reform that benefits the branch, enhances public safety and promotes equitable treatment of all who come through our criminal justice system."

The Pretrial Reform and Operations Workgroup will analyze current pretrial systems and determine the best way to allocate the $75 million alloted to pretrial decision-making programs under Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget.

"We really wish to be ahead of the curve, to continue to address the issues and assure ourselves from a policy perspective this sea change we find ourselves in is addressed appropriately, taking into consideration both public safety and equality issues," said the group's chair, Justice Marsha Slough of the 4th District Court of Appeal.

Most of the group's members are superior court judges, the gatekeepers of pretrial proceedings: Judge Marla Anderson of Monterey, Judge C. Todd Bottke of Tehamay, Judge Judith Dulcich of Kern, Judge Jackson Lucky of Riverside, Judges Serena Murillo and Sam Ohta of Los Angeles, and Judge Winnifred Younge Smith of Alameda will all be on the group.

Justice Tom DeSantos, of the 5th District Court of Appeal, will also be in the group, as well as three court executive officers.

This is the second work group appointed by the Judicial Council to redefine the state's pretrial court system. The first group analyzed the state's cash bail system and concluded it was "unsafe and unfair." The recommendations provided by that group ultimately led to a law ending cash bail, though its enactment was stayed after opponents collected enough signatures to put a referendum on the 2020 ballot.