Good Record Despite Financial Cutbacks.
If one goes by the 2013 Court Statistics issued by the Judicial Council (using fiscal year 2012 as an indicator), the courts at all levels in California are doing a good job of managing cases and disposing of appellate causes—somewhat surprising given financial cuts. We provide some of highlights that caught our attention for the 2012 fiscal year.
Published court of appeal statewide publication rate: 8%; however, rate went up to 17% for original proceedings (writs).
Number of court of appeal decisions depublished: 14.
Court of appeal disposition percentages: for all appeals – 87% affirmed; 10% reversed; and 3% dismissed. For civil appeals – 79% affirmed (includes without and with modifications); 18% reversed; and 3% dismissed.
Original proceeding disposition rate: of the statewide total at court of appeal level, only about 6.3% were disposed of through written opinions (published and unpublished, with only 17% being published). Means over 93% were summarily denied or disposed of through a shorter written order.
Supreme court petition for review grant rate: 4%.
California Supreme Court Room looking southeast. Tom Zimmerman, creator. Library of Congress.
Superior court clearance and disposition rates: superior court dispositions kept up with filing rates and superior courts kept up with state-mandated disposition schedules.
Civil court disposition rates in superior courts: 81% resolved before trial; 19% resolved after trial. Of the trials, 4% were jury, 79% were bench (court), and 17% were trials de novo.
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