Public Notice: San Joaquin County Superior Court Seeks Public Comment re FY 2022-2023 Proposed Budget

Pursuant to Government Code section 68511.7, the Superior Court of California, County of
San Joaquin is providing the public with notice and opportunity for comment prior to
adoption of the trial court’s Proposed Baseline Budget Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.


The Court will accept written comments on the Proposed Baseline Budget Plan (attached)
through 5 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022. Per Government Code section 68511.7(d), the
Court is not obligated to provide responses to the comments received. Please submit your
comments electronically to sbohrer@sjcourts.org or by mail to:


Stephanie Bohrer
Assistant Court Executive Officer
180 E. Weber Ave., Ste. 1306E
Stockton, CA 95202


The proposed budget will be adopted by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court five (5)
business days following the posting of this notice.

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National Adoption Day

NOVEMBER 19, 2022, 9 a.m.

Stockton Courthouse – Jury Assembly Room

180 E. Weber Ave., Stockton, CA

Stockton, CA — On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 9 a.m., the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, will host National Adoption Day with San Joaquin County Human Services Agency,  Wayfinder Family Services Lilliput, Triad Family Services, Sierra Vista Child & Family Services, and Project Linus. This year’s event will celebrate and finalize adoptions for 27 families and 36 children.

This event will be presided over by Judges Barbara A. Kronlund, Anthony P. Lucaccini, Michael D. Coughlan and Erin Guy-Castillo and will begin with a brief welcome and introduction. Also, a couple adoptive families will share their own personal story.

Upon reflection of this eventful day, Judge Erin Guy-Castillo said, “The Court is honored to again host this special event filled with love, warmth, and gratitude.  Our County is better because of the people who step up and help children in their time of need.”

Volunteers from the court and agencies participate in this special day by working together to celebrate the joys of adoption and encourage more families and individuals to give children permanent families through adoption.

National Adoption Day has been celebrated across the nation on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and to raise awareness of the more than 113,000 children and youth in foster care waiting to find a permanent and loving family. Over the past 23 years, the nationwide collective effort of judges, lawyers, court staff, foster professionals, child advocates, sheriff personnel, and many others has made the dreams of over 75,000 children and youth come true by working on this one special day to finalize adoptions for children and youth in foster care.

For your convenience, here is information regarding the event:
– Begins at 9:00 a.m., Jury Assembly Room 12th floor
– Court opens to families at 8:15 a.m.
– Welcome/Introduction: Judges Barbara A. Kronlund, Anthony P. Lucaccini, Michael D. Coughlan and Erin Guy-Castillo
– Stockton Courthouse – 180 E. Weber Ave., Stockton, CA
– Members of the public and press are invited to attend court in person. Press interested in recording court proceedings via TV camera and recorder, still camera, and/or audio must complete required paperwork. Please send requests to mediarequest@sjcourts.org.

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Jonathan W. Fattarsi Appointed to San Joaquin County Superior Court Bench

Judge Jonathan W. Fattarsi

Stockton, CA — The San Joaquin County Superior Court is pleased to announce Governor Newsom’s interim appointment of judge-elect Jonathan W. Fattarsi as a Judge. Judge Fattarsi was elected to the bench by the voters of San Joaquin County during the primary election this past June. The Governor’s appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2023.

Judge Fattarsi served as a Commissioner at the San Joaquin County Superior Court since 2019 before his appointment as Judge. Judge Fattarsi came to the bench with extensive criminal law experience. He began his work for the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office in 2005, including as a deputy public defender and a supervisor. In thirteen years of practice, he has handled a wide variety of cases from misdemeanors to complex criminal cases.

Judge. Fattarsi was admitted to the California State Bar in June 2004. He received his Juris Doctorate from Santa Barbara College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from California State University, Stanislaus.

“I am truly honored to have been elected by the people of this community and to have this appointment from Governor Newsom. I look forward to serving San Joaquin County as a Superior Court Judge,” said Judge Fattarsi.

Judge Fattarsi fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard Giuliani.

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PUBLIC NOTICE: MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUREAU (MSB) NO LONGER ACCEPTING COURT ORDERED DEBT BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Starting November 1, 2022, Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) will no longer be accepting payments for court ordered debt.  Payments are to be made directly to the Court.  During this transition, the Court is providing MSB clients a one-time 60-day grace period to make their current payment. No late fees will be charged to MSB clients during November and December 2022.  

MSB clients need to continue making their agreed upon monthly payments. Checks, money orders or cashier’s checks should be made payable to San Joaquin County Superior Court.  

If submitting payment by mail, please send check, cashier check or money order (NO CASH) to:

San Joaquin County Superior Court, 180 E. Weber Ave, Suite 203, Stockton, CA  95202

If making a payment in person, you can pay with cash, credit, debit, check, cashier check or money order.  

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San Joaquin County Superior Court Now Offers Online Ability to Pay Tool for Infractions

Stockton, CA —  As part of the San Joaquin County Superior Court’s ongoing effort to increase access to justice, the court became the newest California court to begin using MyCitations: an online option for people struggling to pay fines related to infractions.

In October 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice “Price of Justice Initiative” grant, was awarded to the Judicial Council of California. Grant funds were used for development and implementation of the MyCitations: Ability to Pay Tool to be used by all courts in California.

The tool is currently available in 14 counties with additional courts offering the tool in the coming months. The tool allows court users to look up citations online, answer a series of simple questions and submit a request to the court for a possible reduction in the amount owed based on their financial situation. Users can also request a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service.

This new option saves both time and resources, and allows the public to make requests without the need to appear in court. A link to the MyCitations tool can be found on the court’s website or reached directly at https://mycitations.courts.ca.gov

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Danielle Dunham-Ramirez Appointed to San Joaquin County Superior Court Bench

Stockton, CA — The Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin are pleased to announce the appointment of Danielle Dunham-Ramirez to the position of Superior Court Judge.


Ms. Dunham-Ramirez was appointed to the to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Roger Ross. Ms. Dunham-Ramirez has served as served as a Deputy County Counsel since 2000. Since 2016, Ms. Dunham-Ramirez has served as the Supervising Child Protective Services Counsel at the Office of the San Joaquin County Counsel. In addition to her duties as a Supervising Attorney, Ms. Dunham-Ramirez was also responsible for advising employees of the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency on issues involving the abuse, neglect, and abandonment
of children.


Prior to her employment at the County Counsels Office, Ms. Dunham-Ramirez served as a Deputy Public Defender at the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office where she was appointed by the Court to represent indigent adults and appointed to represent children who were charged with crimes.
Ms. Dunham-Ramirez was admitted to the California State Bar in 1997. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.


Ms. Dunham-Ramirez commented on her appointment, “I am humbled and truly grateful for this incredible opportunity to serve the people of San Joaquin County as a Superior Court Judge. Thank you Governor Newsom and Secretary Cespedes for this opportunity.


In 24 years of working in this legal community, I am keenly aware of how uniquely dedicated and passionate its members are at ensuring that San Joaquin County maintains a reputation of one the state’s most exemplary legal communities. I look forward to the awesome responsibility of being a Superior Court Judge and promise I will dedicate myself to ensuring just and fair consideration of issues and cases that come before me.”


Ms. Dunham-Ramirez’s formal and public swearing in ceremony has yet to be scheduled.

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Veterans Treatment Court Graduation

1St Graduation under Collaborative Court

August 12, 2022 – 10 a.m.

180 E. Weber Ave., Dept. 3D, Stockton, California

Stockton, CA —  The San Joaquin County Superior Court will hold its Veterans Treatment Court graduation on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10 a.m. in Department 3D at the Stockton Courthouse, 180 E. Weber Avenue. Court Executive Officer Brandon E. Riley, will preside over the ceremony. A mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is to identify eligible veterans in the criminal justice system and place them into treatment and court   supervision as an alternative to incarceration. This is the 10th ceremony since the Veterans Court was founded in 2015, and first under Collaborative Courts. 

The Veterans Court Graduation will honor 57 military veterans who have successfully completed an intensive program and have pledged to keep marching towards recovery. The program is a combination of judicial supervision, justice partner collaborative efforts and appropriate treatment and support.

A growing number of veterans suffer from trauma (such as traumatic brain injury), mental health conditions (such as PTSD) and substance abuse disorders. Veterans Treatment Court connects these men and women to the benefits and treatment they have earned. There are now more than 350 of these courts in the United States.

“This event allows us to recognize these men and women who worked hard to reach all court mandates. We are proud to fulfill our obligation to bring services, treatment, and  support to our veterans in their fight against the effects of trauma,” said Kelly Placeres, Director of Collaborative Courts.

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Public Notice: Receipt of Annual Allocation of the Trial Court Budget After Enactment of the Budget Act of 2022

Stockton, CA —  The Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin is in receipt of the annual allocation of the 2022-2023 trial court budget from the Judicial Council of California following the enactment of the Budget Act of 2022.

California Rule of Court 10.620(f) requires trial courts to provide notice no later than 15 court days after “receipt of the annual allocation of the trial court budget from the Judicial Council after enactment of the Budget Act.” The Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee’s reports to the council provide helpful discussion and detail behind the allocations and can be viewed by following the links below on the California Courts website:

· Trial Court Budget: Allocations from the Trial Court Trust Fund and Trial Court Allocations for 2022-23

· Trial Court Budget | 2022-23 Civil Assessment Backfill Allocation Methodology

· Trial Court Budget: State Trial Court Improvement and Modernization Fund Allocations for 2022-23  

· Trial Court Budget: Fiscal Year 2022-23 Allocation of Court-Appointed Juvenile Dependency Counsel Funding

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2021-2022 SAN JOAQUIN CIVIL GRAND JURY  RELEASES FINAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT AND SELECTION OF THE 2022-2023 CIVIL GRAND JURY

Stockton, CA — Today, June 30, 2022, the 2021-2022 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury released its final consolidated report. The final consolidated report contains investigative reports, findings and recommendations developed in the 2021-2022 term. Civil grand jurors examine and investigate local governmental activities within San Joaquin County. The responsibilities of the civil grand jury encompass the examination of all aspects of county government, including school and special assessment districts, to ensure that the county is being governed lawfully, efficiently and that public monies are being handled appropriately. The grand jury may conduct investigations of public agencies and the administration and affairs of any city within the county.


Hon. George J. Abdallah, Jr., Supervising Judge of the San Joaquin County Grand Juries commented on the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury’s work, saying, “The Judges of the Superior Court of California and the citizens of the County of San Joaquin thank and commend the 2021-2022 Grand Jurors for their conscientious efforts on behalf of all San Joaquin County citizens. The Grand Jurors undertook and completed their duties with great industry, intelligence and care in keeping with the long tradition of San Joaquin County Grand Juries.”


Today, also marks the day the members of the 2022-2023 Civil Grand Jury will be selected and sworn in. The selection and swearing in will take place in Department 3D at 3:00 p.m. The Civil Grand Jury is comprised of 19 citizens who are impaneled annually for a one-year term. The 2022-2023 term begins July 1, 2022.


The public is encouraged to read the final consolidated report by visiting the Grand Jury’s website.

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