Residents Hold Court on Judicial System

Valley residents Tuesday gave Los Angeles County judges and court administrators their assessment of the shortcomings of the judicial system and their suggestions for improvements.

A public forum at the San Fernando Courthouse brought together about 25 residents with an equal number of court officials to discuss issues ranging from jury reform to accountability. It was the second in a series of five such forums designed to help reduce public dissatisfaction with the judicial system.

A recent self-study issued by the Los Angeles County Superior Courts revealed that less than a fifth of the respondents were strongly confident in the court system.

“If we’re going to be successful, we need to get out and hear from the community,” said John Clarke, executive officer of the Los Angeles Superior Court and chairman of a 27-member Los Angeles County judicial outreach team.

Similar meetings are taking place across the state. California Chief Justice Ronald George issued a directive in May for all 58 county court systems to hold court-community dialogues as part of their planning processes.

Tuesday, residents and officials split up into working groups to trade barbs and views. “I went through the system,” said Gene Dorio of Valencia. “I know what it’s like. I know there need to be changes in it.”

Dorio, who recently went through a divorce and has a pending child custody case, was among several participants who came with complaints from existing cases, although judges politely but firmly declined to discuss them.

“We are a part of the community, so we have to be connected,” said Judge Paul Gutman of the Los Angeles Superior Court. “But at the same time, we have to keep our distance lest we appear to be partial.”

Judges have historically been wary of public contact to preserve the appearance of judicial impartiality and independence, Gutman said. But judges need to stay attuned to public attitudes, he said.

“We can’t remain aloof,” he said. “We have to come back once in a while and drink from the same cup.”