What's New

Upcoming Solicitations for Design and Construction Services for Major Capital Projects (PDF) (11/20/08)
The Office of Court Construction and Management Seeks Contractors, Construction Managers, and Architectural and Engineering Services for Major Capital Projects.

List of 41 Projects to be Funded by SB 1407 (10/24/08)
The Judicial Council has approved a list of 41 projects to renovate or replace courthouses funded by Senate Bill 1407 (Perata) which creates enhanced revenues for courthouse improvements. Based on estimates of the various enhanced revenue streams, the nearly $300 million in annual revenue will pay for pre-construction costs and debt service payments on construction of the 41 projects as well as provide $40 million annually for security enhancements, life safety and code compliance improvements, and repairs in courthouses for which the state is responsible. The 41 projects selected include courthouse projects in 34 counties across the state. Inquiries from the public and from companies interested in participating in the projects should be sent to OCCM@jud.ca.gov

Governor Signs Senate Bill 1407 (Perata) (October 2008)
Legislation authorizing a $5 billion bond to fund critically needed courthouse construction was signed into law on September 26, 2008 by Gov. Schwarzenegger. SB 1407 allows the issuance of lease revenue bonds funded by increased fines and court fees and therefore does not impact the state´s general fund. This historic revenue bond is the legislature's first significant commitment to funding courthouse improvements across the state since the enactment of the Trial Court Facilities Act in 2002.

Method for Ranking Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects (October, 2008)
At its October 2008 business meeting, the Judicial Council adopted an update to the methodology for prioritizing new trial court construction and renovation projects to align it with Senate Bill 1407.

Funding Requests for FY 2009–2010: Trial Court Project (July 2008)
As directed by the Judicial Council, AOC staff submitted a total of 18 trial court project funding requests to the State Department of Finance in July 2008. Of these, eight are new requests and 10 are for continuation phases of previously approved projects. More detailed information can be found in each Project Feasibility Report prepared to support the initial funding request and the latest Judicial Branch (AB 1473) Five-Year Infrastructure Plan for FY 2009–2010.

Judicial Branch (AB 1473) Five-Year Infrastructure Plan (July 2008)
The Judicial Council approved the first trial court capital-outlay plan in February 2004. In June 2005, a five-year plan for the entire Judicial Branch was developed, referencing all projects for the trial courts in addition to those for the appellate courts and for the offices of the AOC. The plan for FY 2009–2010 was approved by the Judicial Council in April 2008, and it includes an updated trial court capital-outlay plan of 152 new-construction, addition, and major renovation projects, as well as a summary of the FY 2009–2010 project funding requests submitted to the State Department of Finance.

OCCM Seeks Architectural and Engineering Services for Major Capital Projects (September 26, 2007)
The Office of Court Construction and Management has released a request for qualifications (RFQ) in order to identify architects and their consulting engineering teams who are qualified to provide services in all phases of design and construction for new courthouses for the Superior Courts of California, in the counties of San Joaquin, San Bernardino, Madera, and Tulare.

A&E Firms Selected for Interview for Major Capital Projects under $50 Million Construction (September 4, 2007)

Family Courts in California: Practice and Design
The Administrative Office of the Courts has produced a 30-minute video about the design of family law courthouses. The video features interviews with Hon. Donna Hitchens, Superior Court of San Francisco County and with Hon. Barry Baskin, Superior Court of Contra Costa County; discussions about the respective family law practices of each court; and information about how effective court architecture can serve the special needs of families and children. The video represents the collaborative efforts of the Center for Children, Family, and the Courts (CFCC), Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER), and Office of Court Construction and Management (OCCM). For more information, please contact rona.rothenberg@jud.ca.gov. Watch the video online (Windows Media)

For more information about family law courthouse design, see Rona Rothenberg's article, "Family Courts in California: Models for Practice and Design ," published in the Spring 2007 issue of the Newsletter of the Academy of Architecture for Justice.

Yolo Courthouse Transfers to State
The Yolo county Board of Supervisors last week approved the transfer of responsibility from the county to the state of the Yolo Traffic Court, effective November 1. Traffic Court is a leased facility located in downtown Woodland. More information about court transfers.

Standards for New and Renovated Facilities Available Online
Approved by the Judicial Council at its April business meeting, the standards set basic expectations for new and renovated trial court facilities and replace the Trial Court Facility Guidelines adopted in 2002. Developed with input from courts, counties, architects, and engineers, the standards cover criteria for courtrooms, security, jury rooms, public spaces, holding areas, telecommunications, and much more. California Trial Court Facilities Standards (PDF).

Judges and Attorneys on Local Court Facilities (3/10/2006)
Judicial officers and attorneys report on local court conditions in these excerpts from letters to state legislators. ("What Judicial Officers and Court Practitioners Are Saying About the Need for Court Facility Bond Funding" PDF, 296 KB)

What do judges say about conditions in California's Courts? (11/28/05)
Watch "In Their Own Words " to get the bench's perspective on the impact of poor courthouse conditions on efficiency, access, security, and more.
Transcript
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OCCM is Recruiting
OCCM is currently recruiting qualified professionals to fill architectural, real estate, and facilities services positions.

Visit the Temples of Justice
The Temples of Justice exhibit explores the role historic courthouses have played in California's rich judicial history.