2008 Annual Report - Superior Court of California - County of Los ...

Also this year, the Court experienced its first fully
televised, gavel-to-gavel criminal trial since the O.J.
Simpson murder case in 1994 and 1995. The coverage
allowed the Court to let millions of people see how we do
our job. Viewers saw a professional, prepared,
knowledgeable judge preside over a lengthy, at times
complicated, trial.
That judge — and some of his
colleagues — have observed that if the court family finds objectionable
television police shows and movies that distort the way courts work,
the best remedy is to let the public see the real thing.
Behind the glitz and glamour, the swarming paparazzi and the line of
satellite trucks on the street are courthouses with hard-working judicial
officers hearing thousands of cases — some of which happen to feature
celebrities. All of the parties in these cases are our customers. Celebrity
matters offer an opportunity for us to educate the public and let the
public see our thoughtful judicial officers and successful programs.
Court Publications
Our publications program enjoyed a robust year in 2007. The Annual Report, which is
distributed to stakeholders, community members and government officials, provides
a vehicle to highlight the accomplishments, changes and challenges of the past year.
Our judicial magazine, Gavel to Gavel, was published three times in 2007. In the spring
issue, entitled “From Stage and Screen to the Courtroom,” the spotlight fell on judicial officers
who first came to the public’s attention not as officers of the Court, but as actors,
models and game show contestants.
Other issue themes for Gavel to Gavel included family law and court security.
The latter issue, which appeared in late December, included harrowing accounts
by judges of the dangers judicial officers have and can face.
Partners is a nationally distributed newsletter for juvenile court
professionals. The publication is written by judicial officers and
research attorneys in our Children’s Court and by lawyers and heads of
public and private social service agencies.
Last year, we introduced a new publication, “A Look at Your
Superior Court,” made possible by grant funds from the
Administrative Office of the Courts. The brochure provides
information about the Los Angeles Superior Court to those performing
jury duty. It will be given to every juror who reports for service in a 12-
month period — a total of more than 900,000 people.
The 5,400 employees of the Los Angeles Superior Court are the subjects,
contributors, editors and recipients of the Court Crier. Published roughly
three times a year, it addresses topics of interest to Court employees, including
how employees spend their time outside of court.
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