At its public meeting on March 24 in San Francisco, the Judicial Council approved $23.5 million in grant funding to support programs to make local courts more efficient, accessible, and easier to use. The Superior Court of San Bernardino County participated in this competitive process and was awarded $710,991.69 in grant funding to support innovative projects designed to expand access to our courts. 

“Like most courts in the state, San Bernardino was hit hard when the economy collapsed, and we are still recovering. We are working hard to restore services to our communities and are committed to increasing access to the Court, “ said Presiding Judge Raymond L. Haight, III. “This grant funding will help us implement some exciting new programs to compliment some of the other access to justice initiatives we recently introduced, such as Self-Help education tools and an online Domestic Violence filing program.” 

These new efforts include: 

• Effective January 2018, provide Big Bear residents much-needed access to court services by holding video proceedings for traffic infractions and misdemeanor probation modification matters at the Big Bear District every second and fourth Friday of the month, and opening the Clerk’s Office to the public on those days. 
• Video conferencing in our Family and Children’s Services division for parents in remote locations who are unable to attend a mediation session in person. 
•  An online portal that will allow self-represented litigants to access general legal and procedural information, complete and submit forms, communicate with self-help staff, register for workshops, and track the status of their active case(s). The portal will also be accessible through a mobile device application. 

The 2016-17 state budget included one-time grant funding for trial court programs and practices that promote innovation, modernization, and efficiency to be determined by the Judicial Council. The Council received 118 applications—of which 53 grants for 29 courts were ultimately approved—including San Bernardino’s three submissions. 

Court Executive Officer Nancy CS Eberhardt said “This is a great honor for our court and another indicator of our ability to find creative and innovative ways to reach our community.” 

More information about the Court Innovation Grants can be found here.