The Homeless Court has entered its 15th year of helping the homeless in San Joaquin County. The specialty court helps the homeless clear up minor traffic offenses, bench warrants and failures to appear without the threat of incarceration and fines, and with the goal of helping individuals become more employable, and possibly qualify for public assistance. The services provided through the court are a collaborative effort between the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, San Joaquin County District Attorney, San Joaquin County Bar Association, and Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, St. Mary’s Dining Room and Veterans Administration. Together, approximately 5,000 homeless have been assisted since the court’s inception in January 2006.

Most of the offenses that are handled in Homeless Court fall into the following categories: traffic, bench warrants and failures to appear, morals offenses such as fare-jumping, illegal camping, possession of shopping cart, possession of open container, and loitering/park curfew. To qualify to participate in Homeless Court, individuals must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless (i.e., couch-surfers), as well as those who are living in residential treatment programs.

Every individual who participates in Homeless Court has the services of an attorney. Individuals serve their sentences with volunteer work (community service at Stockton Homeless Shelter, St. Mary’s Dining Room, or the Emergency FoodBank) and participation in programs (AA, Mental Health, etc.) as set up by their shelter caseworkers. Others receive credit for time in residential treatment programs.

The Homeless Court has remained steadfast in its mission to provide help to this vulnerable population even with the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people experiencing homelessness and their ability to access services. In recent months, the Homeless Court has seen a reduction in participants. Judge Barbara A. Kronlund, who started the court in 2006, reflected on the current environment, “The fact that there has been such a huge increase in the unsheltered homeless has probably added to the Homeless Court’s declining numbers, because people tend to not worry so much about getting to court when they are so concerned about just keeping themselves fed and sheltered, especially in inclement weather. However, we want to continue to let the homeless and agencies that serve this population know that the Homeless Court is available. Our work is more important now than ever.”

There is a make-shift courtroom on site at St. Mary’s Interfaith Community Services in Stockton; however, in light of the pandemic limiting in-person contacts, Homeless Court is being held remotely, using the Court’s conference call line. This remote procedure has been in place for many months now, and it is working very successfully and efficiently. For more information, about the program, please contact Mercedes Moreno at MMoreno@stmarysdiningroom.org or (209)467-0703.

The San Joaquin County Superior Court is seeking applicants to serve on the fiscal year 2021-2022 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury. The deadline for application submission is April 2, 2021.

Applications can be obtained by calling (209) 992-5290. Applications can also be found on the court’s website at: /general-info/civil-grand-jury.

Members of the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury will begin serving August 1, 2021. The Grand Jury is comprised of nineteen citizens whose names are randomly selected from applicants nominated by the Judges of the Superior Court. The Civil Grand Jury inquires into and investigates the functions and operations of governmental bodies, agencies and public officials within San Joaquin County, as well as investigates complaints received from the public. Past reports have focused on juvenile group homes, community college and school districts, jail
operations, special districts and housing authorities.

Comments from recent past grand jurors regarding their involvement and their experiences include, “A strong desire to serve our citizens and making sure all governmental agencies are doing their job.” “I love the fact that jurors have vast knowledge in the field they have worked in, which give first-hand experience to topics discussed . . .” and, “Meeting a wide variety of community members and working together.”

Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, applicants must be able to work via telephonic or video appearance (a smart phone and internet access are required).

A Grand Juror must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen who has resided in San Joaquin County for at least one year, possess sufficient knowledge of the English language, and is not now serving as a trial juror or elected public official. Qualified applicants may be interviewed by a Superior Court Judge. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office will conduct background investigations, which includes a record check from law enforcement agencies.

On Saturday, November 21, 2020, at 9:00AM, the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, will host National Adoption Day with San Joaquin County Human Services Agency, Lilliput Children Services, Aspiranet, Parents by Choice, and Family Connections Christian Adoptions. This year’s event will celebrate and finalize adoptions for 8 families and 14 foster care children.

This event will be presided over by Judges Barbara A. Kronlund and Michael D. Coughlan and will begin with a brief welcome and introduction. Judge Kronlund stated “This is truly a win-win opportunity. New families are created before noon; deserving children are given forever homes knowing they are truly wanted and truly loved. These children can start to live the lives they deserve and so desperately want – as the beautiful children they are, with family they can depend on and with whom they can create loving memories.”

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 120,000 children and youth in foster care waiting to find a permanent and loving family. Over the past 21 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 7,500 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 9:00AM, Dept. 3D
• Court opens to families at 8:15AM
• Welcome/Introduction: Judges Barbara A. Kronlund and Michael D. Coughlan
• Stockton Courthouse – 180 E. Weber Ave., Stockton, CA 95202
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only invited guests and members of the press are invited to attend court in person. The adoption finalization proceedings will be live-streamed on the Superior Court’s YouTube Channel so that the public can watch this uplifting event.