Three Chief Justices of California have prioritized outreach and civic learning in public schools K-12. Go to POD Milestones Timeline
About the Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative
The Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative is led by two state court judges appointed to two-year terms by initiative sponsor Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. Their service terms are voluntary. Each is recognized for court outreach programming at their respective courts and leadership advancing outreach at all state courts.
Initiative Leadership
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Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero
California Chief Justice
Presiding Justice Judith McConnell, Lead
Administrative Presiding Justice, Fourth District Court of Appeal
Judge Julia Alloggiamento
Vice-Lead
Santa Clara Superior Court
The Power of Democracy Timeline
2013-Present
Origin Summary:
A two-day summit convened by the Judicial Council in November 2006 focused California’s judicial leaders on ensuring judicial quality, impartiality, and accountability. These leaders concluded that unless the Judicial Council took decisive action, trends seen in other states would inevitably spread to California.
Summit participants identified four basic approaches to preserving the impartiality of and the public’s confidence in California’s judiciary: (1) changes to improve judicial candidate campaign conduct, (2) changes to improve the financing of judicial campaigns, *(3) activities to improve voter information about judicial candidates and public understanding of the role of the courts and the nature of judicial decisionmaking, and (4) modification of the current method of judicial selection and retention.
Chief Justice George thereafter established the 88-member commission, divided into a steering committee and four task forces, to study and report on each task force.
Justice Judith McConnell was appointed Chair of the Public Information and Education Task Force (#3 above). The milestones of this timeline track how the judicial branch formed the Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative, with links to reports and other supporting resources.