Center for Judicial Excellence

CENTER FOR JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE

	The Center for Judicial Excellence is a community-based organization established to improve the judiciary’s public accountability & strengthen & maintain the integrity of the courts. CJE relies on donations large and small from concerned citizens who believe that children, domestic violence survivors, the elderly and other vulnerable people should be protected in our nation's courts. Please give what you can to help us continue our work - $5, $25 or $100 - every donation helps. Sign up for our Email List
BIG NEWS
	>> Scroll down for breaking news or click here for our archive of press featuring CJE! -----------------------------
	In the News
	SFGate Thursday, July 22, 2010 Governor to introduceCalif chief justice nominee Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article Fresno Bee Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Calif Chief Justice George Stepping Down Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article Click here to download a PDF of the Judicial Council press release about Chief Justice George's announcement. San Diego News Network Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Judge's accusations on colleagues denied in appeals court Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article The Daily Beast Tuesday, May 6, 2010 When Fathers Kill Their Kids Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article The Crime Report Thursday, May 6, 2010 Failure to Protect: The Crisis in America's Family Courts Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article Thanks to everyone who watched the April 14th Dr. Phil Show - "Crisis in Family Court." If you missed it, it's not too late to watch clips at http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1442. Don't forget to leave a comment! Marin Independent Journal Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Marin Voice: Our courts need a 'watchdog' Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article The Sacramento Bee Friday, April 9, 2010 State, groups push for audit of Sacramento, Marin family courts Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article Capitol Weekly Thursday, April 8, 2010 Auditor, Judicial Council spar over family courts audit Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article RH Reality Check Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Reproductive Rights, Parental Rights and Family Violence: A Dangerous Intersection Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article ABC 7 Thursday, February 25, 2010 Rebellion in the California court system Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article and Watch the Segment Capitol Weekly Thursday, February 18, 2010 Parental Alienation must be excluded from all custody hearings Click Here to Read the Full Text of the Article
	-----------------------------
	AUDIT UPDATE
	Click here to view the Bureau of State Audits interactive timeline regarding the audit the Marin and Sacramento County Family Courts. CJE and our allies are providing BSA staff with information that illustrates ongoing systemic issues with appointees in our family courts. If you are a litigant, judicial employee or anyone with knowledge about family law in Marin or Sacramento County, and you would like to share information with the state auditor, click here to download a Family Court Audit Intake Form. This form was created as a tool for litigants to share relevant information about court appointees. IMPORTANT- By law, the CA family court audit is an independent investigation. CJE is merely providing information to the state auditor's office to use at their discretion. We understand that the audit will not directly affect the outcome of any pending family law cases. When you've completed the form, please fax or email it to CJE at: FAX: 415-459-9210 EMAIL: info@centerforjudicialexcellence.org

Justice. Accountability. Integrity.

CJE is dedicated to public education and community outreach about individual rights in the court system. FCC Book Cover

Since it's founding in 2006, CJE has filled a critical void, shining a light on a vital branch of government that wields tremendous power over the lives of average people. CJE has empowered citizen leadership, inspired government action, and become a major catalyst in building a national movement for family court reform.

Beginning in 2008, CJE made a special commitment to protecting the rights of children and vulnerable populations in the courts. This year, CJE will continue our successful campaign to promote the safety of children in California's family courts... and in courts across the nation.

The system is broken. Together, let's fix it.
Request our $12 photobook via email: Buy a copy of our film:

------------------------------------------------------------

Take Action!

It is critically important that each and every one of us contact our elected officials and urge them to make family court reform a priority. These are the people who can bring about the reform we need, and it is important that they understand how our current system is harming children. Click on the link below to find your state and federal elected officials in your zip code, and then call/email their office to urge them to take action.

Instructions:
1) When you click on the link below, you will be taken to a webpage where you will be asked to enter your zip code to look up the elected officials in your area.
2) After you enter your zip code, hit "GO" and you will be taken to a page where all of the state and federal elected officials in your area will be listed.
3) Click on the legislator you want to contact. This will take you to the legislator's info page
4) On the legislator's info page, select the "Contact" tab and the contact info for that legislator will appear.
5) Call and email your legislator and urge them to take action.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/

------------------------------------------------------------

CJE's Recent Activities

Justice Seeker Awards Highlights

Family Court Crisis Video Exhibit

Click the arrow below to watch California State Senator Mark Leno tell the story of our tireless effort to secure an audit of the California Family Courts.

This footage is from CJE's First Annual Justice Seeker Awards last November at the Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael, California.

Come back soon for more video highlights of our other award winners!

Our moving photography exhibition and accompanying photo book are now complimented by a video slideshow that profiles 40 individuals whose lives have been forever changed - in many cases devastated - because of their experiences in America's broken family law system. Each portrait is accompanied by a reflection from the victim describing the unbelievable nightmares that they have been forced to endure in family courts across America. Click the image below to watch this 9-minute video exhibit, set to an original score, written and performed by Mateo Favero. Or click here to learn more about CJE's related photo exhibit and book...

We recommend using the Mozilla Firefox browser for maximum compatibility. Videos are best watched on high speed internet. If you are not on high speed we cannot guarantee your viewing of this video. If you have trouble viewing the video on our homepage, click here to watch it on YouTube.

We recommend using the Mozilla Firefox Browser for maximum compatibility. Videos are best watched on high speed internet. If you are not on high speed we cannot guarantee your viewing of this video. If you have trouble viewing the video on our home page, click here to watch it on Vimeo.

------------------------------------------------------------

Family Law Documentary

As part of our ongoing effort to educate and engage the community, CJE produced a 42-minute documentary addressing the serious systemic breakdown of our family courts. Family Court Crisis: Our Children At Risk features personal testimony from individuals who have experienced the pitfalls of our family law system and expert evaluations of what has gone wrong. Click here to view a 12-minute documentary trailer or click here to order your own copy of the full-length, 42-minute DVD. To plan a screening, contact Steve at 415-459-9211 ext. 25.

------------------------------------------------------------

Advocacy 2010

CJE remains committed to educating policymakers at all levels of government about the systemic gaps within the courts, as well as potential solutions. In 2010, CJE will continue to build upon our advocacy successes from last year, Hoyer at DC Brief which include the passage of Sen. Mark Leno's JLAC audit of the Marin and Sacramento Family Courts. Our current 2010 legislative priorities include:

AB 612 (Child Custody - Non-Scientific Theories) Read more...
AB 1050 (Child Custody - Children's Voices) Read more...
AUDIT - The California State Auditor's final report on the use of court appointees in California Family Courts is due to be released in June 2010. Read more...

Click here to learn more about CJE's advocacy work!

For more information on legislation pertaining to the California Courts, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov, and please remember to check the CJE website frequently for advocacy updates as we routinely meet with legislators who are concerned about our issues and interested in reforming and improving our courts.

------------------------------------------------------------

Public Forums & Events

CJE hosts regular public forums to encourage an ongoing community dialogue about the judiciary.

In 2009, we received a grant from the Agape Foundation to help fund our ongoing series of Community Outreach events, using our film and photo exhibit to educate the community about the systemic issues affecting our courts. Stay tuned for video footage from our recent Alameda County Family Law Hearing with Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele. Media outlets across California & the nation picked up the Bay Area News Group story about this successful event:

Oakland Tribune, June 12, 2009

Bay Area News Group, June 14, 2009

USA Today, June 12, 2009

Huffington Post, June 14, 2009

CA Progress Report, June 15, 2009

We'll be posting details about other upcoming events soon. Click here to learn more about our past public events or watch a forum video.

The photos below were taken at the Sacramento premier of CJE's photo exhibit and at our very first community forum, which featured the California Commission on Judicial Performance's own Victoria Henley, way back in September 2006.

WWW www.centerforjudicialexcellence.org

495 Miller Avenue - Mill Valley, CA 94941 - 415-256-9606 - Email CJE

CJE DOES NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. If you have a legal problem, seek professional legal counsel. We want to hear your story, however, please be advised, if you choose to share information with us, we can not guarantee your privacy. Click here for further details about our disclaimer.