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News and Press
Release Archive
-NEWS
2012 Rules of Court Preview
Pursuant to California Rules of
Court, Rule 10.613, our Local Rules, with an effective date of July 1,
2012, are available for the 45-day review period on this website, “About
this Court”; “Rules of Court”; “2012 Rules Preview” or by clicking here.
Calendar Changes in Nevada City Criminal
Depts
On January 9, 2012, the following changes to court calendars will become
effective. Juvenile delinquency cases (602 calendars) will be heard in
Department I on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings. Unlawful detainer
cases and LPS jury trials will be heard in Department VI. The DUI arraignment
calendar will be permanently assigned to Department II. Jury trials in
Departments I and II will only be set to start on Tuesdays. Calendars
on Monday holidays will no longer roll to Tuesday and will, instead, be
set on the following Monday – this applies to Departments I, II, and IV.
The GC Services calendar will be transitioned to written statements which
will be reviewed and decided by the judge in chambers. Unadjudicated GC
Services cases will be heard on the Wednesday traffic calendar. Citing
agencies will discontinue issuing citations to the Fast-Track calendar
on Tuesdays after Monday holidays and will cite to appear on the next
available Monday. All other court calendars will remain unchanged. Prop
36 Court will remain in Department I and Mental Health Court stays in
Department II. The court will change the designation of department numbers
between the courtrooms on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex: On
January 9, 2012, Department I will occupy the courtroom on the east side
of the first floor of the Courthouse Annex (currently Department II)and
Department II will move to the courtroom across from the Law Library (currently
Department I). This change is necessary to accommodate the unique needs
of the 602 calendar. Questions on these changes should be directed to
the Court Executive Officer via email at sean.metroka@nevadacountycourts.com
or 530-265-1313.
Drug Court Makes Sense (and Dollars)
By Judge Robert L. Tamietti
Since 1998, Nevada County has had
one of the most successful drug court programs in California. Started
by now retired Judge Albert Dover, and refined under now retired Judge
John Darlington, Nevada County's Adult Drug Court has literally saved
dozens of lives. More than 90 defendants who were hopelessly addicted
to drugs have turned their lives around, have stopped committing crimes
to feed their drug habits, and have become productive taxpaying members
of society. Now, a state sponsored economic evaluation of our Drug Court
concludes that our program has helped taxpayers avoid more than $1.4 million
in otherwise expected recidivism costs. Why is our program such a success?
It begins with a psychological assessment to identify a linkage between
drug addiction and criminal behavior. Identifying and then breaking that
link, thereby removing the fuel for criminal behavior, is the key. For
defendants admitted to Drug Court, six months of in-patient treatment
interrupts the addiction, and launches them on the road to recovery. Then,
eighteen more months of transitional housing and out-patient treatment,
intensive supervision, life skills training, job placement and training,
high school equivalency and college courses, all supported by random and
frequent drug testing seals the recovery. Graduating from this minimum
two year intensive program prepares each defendant to reenter the community
as a productive citizen. Without Drug Court, taxpayers would spend an
estimated cost of $43,287 per year to house each defendant in state prison.
Total estimated prison costs for the current Drug Court participants exceed
$1.8 million. After that expenditure, each defendant would then come out
of prison with the same addiction that drove him or her there in the first
place, and with no better life skills to succeed in society. Little wonder
that California prisoners released under those conditions promptly reoffend
and return to prison in record numbers. Instead, Drug Court spends roughly
$24,000 per defendant for the two years in the program. The state-wide
study concluded that taxpayers save more than $16,000 per defendant in
the program over the expected costs for incarceration and recidivism (apprehension,
prosecution and incarceration for new criminal conduct). The state-wide
study concludes that, even for those few defendants who fail out of Drug
Court, costs to society decline. The life skills and healthy behaviors
learned by defendants in Drug Court pay dividends to taxpayers well beyond
the modest cost of the program. Yes, Drug Court is a compassionate response
to drug addiction, and to the crime that feeds addicts’ drug habits.
But it also is a hardnosed fiscally conservative program that uses a fraction
of the cost to taxpayers to attack the root causes of drug-fueled criminality.
By breaking that link between drug use and criminality, we taxpayers avoid
the known costs of incarceration for past drug-fueled criminality, as
well as the certain costs of recidivism among paroled prisoners who have
served their sentences without addressing their drug addictions that fuel
their criminal behavior. I invite you to read the full report which I
recently presented to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors (>> click
for report). I also invite you to attend a Drug Court session and to see
for yourself the great work being done by the Drug Court Team and participants.
Public Meeting on Proposed New Courthouse A public meeting hosted
by California’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the Superior
Court of Nevada County will present information about potential sites
for the new Nevada City courthouse | Details... When: Tuesday, December
14, 2010, 6 pm to 9 pm Where: Nevada County Board of Supervisors Chambers,
Eric Rood Administrative Center, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, California
95959 Changes in Judicial Leadership The Superior Court of Nevada
County announces its biennial change in judicial leadership that took
effect January 1, 2010.
Nevada County Law Day
The annual Nevada County Law Day event is a collaborative effort between
the Superior Court, Law Enforcement and the County Superintendent of Schools.
Law Day is a special day for all Nevada County 5th graders to tour the
courthouse and learn about the role of the courts and law enforcement
in the justice system. They also review basic constitutional rights that
most have already learned about in school. The visit consists of three
stations with various topics. In one courtroom students role play the
case of the stolen bike. Students shadow judges, clerks, attorneys, police
officers and courtroom personnel to get the case of the stolen bicycle
resolved. Meanwhile, in the next courtroom, students are introduced to
the various local law enforcement agencies. Officers explain the unique
qualifications of their agency and their job. They provide the kids with
hands-on demonstrations of the unique tools they carries on their belts
and explain the specially designed protective suits and helmets they wear.
The highlight of the law enforcement presentation is when the K-9 unit
makes a special appearance. The visit becomes complete with a tour of
the jail. The students wind their way through the cold and impervious
corridors of the jail where the repulsion of spending time in a cell is
firmly implanted to their memory! To reinforce the importance of making
good choices and staying out of trouble, students end their jail tour
by listening to testimonials given by past probation students. Each year,
between 700 – 800 5th grade students walk through the doors of the Nevada
County Courthouse. They come dressed in their best, excited to show respect
for the courts and people that work there. This informative, fun day allows
them the opportunity to experience the legal system in a positive, non
threatening way. These young people will long remember their visit to
the courthouse.
Drug Court Program Receives Federal Grant Senator Barbara Boxer
and the Department of Justice recently announced that the Superior Court
of Nevada County will be receiving federal funding to help enhance its
drug court program.
Governor Appoints Candace Heidelberger
Judge Heidelberger, 53, of Nevada City, has served as a panel attorney
for the Central California Appellate Program since 1997. She has served
simultaneously as a contract attorney for Placer County since 2002 and
Nevada County since 2004. Additionally, she served concurrently as a public
defender for both Placer County from 1997 to 2002 and Nevada County from
2002 to 2004. She was a partner in the law firm Heidelberger and Heidelberger
from 1994 to 1997. Heidelberger earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Lincoln
Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Albert
Dover. Heidelberger is a Republican.
Changes in Conservatorship Procedures
Based on a request from the probate bar, the Nevada County Superior Court
Probate Department will begin appointing attorneys in conservatorship
petitions where dementia powers are sought at the time the petition is
filed instead of at the first hearing. Since such appointments are mandated
and our volunteer appointment list is a short one, the court urges attorneys
who are not on the list to volunteer. If you wish to volunteer, please
contact Hilary Burget, Department VI secretary, at (530) 265-1380.
Where appropriate, the probate department will begin issuing tentative
rulings in non-appointment conservatorship proceedings. This includes
periodic accountings and reviews. It is hoped that the tentative rulings
will eliminate the need for attorneys and conservators to appear when
everything is in order. The tentative ruling procedure will commence on
May 5, 2006. If you have any questions about the new procedures, please
contact the clerk's office at (530) 265-1293.
Identity Theft Scam -
Failure to Appear for Jury Service
There's a new scam going around. Identity thieves posing as
court workers are calling people around the country to tell them
they failed to report for jury duty, that a warrant has been
issued for their arrest and then ask for a Social Security
number and other personal information.
Please be aware that this is just another attempt by theives to
illegally obtain your personal information. The Nevada County
Superior Court does not make telephone calls to advise jurors or
other litigants that they failed to appear for court.
If you receive such a call requesting your personal
identification (i.e. bank account, credit card, social security
number), hang up immediately and report it to the Nevada County
Sheriff at (530)470-2400 or (530)582-7842 in Truckee.
Court now Accepting
Credit and Debit Cards
As part of the first phase of the program, the Nevada County
Superior Court only accepts Credit and Debit Card payments of
fines and fees related to traffic infractions. Payments must be
made through the Internet or through a toll free telephone
number as they are not accepted directly at the public counters.
-PRESS
RELEASES
REAL DUI COURT IN THE
SCHOOLS TEEN POST-SURVEY RESULTS
September 29, 2008. NEVADA CITY, CA - The
Superior Court of Nevada County announced today
that they have received the results from a
survey to evaluate the Real DUI Court in the
Schools program. The survey was conducted by
conducted by Philliber Research Associates under
a contract with the Administrative Office of the
Courts Funded by a $10,000.00 grant from the
California Office of Traffic Safety, the Nevada
County Superior Court held two Real DUI Court
Trials at Bear River and Nevada Union high
schools in the spring. “It was a collaborative
effort between the Nevada County District
Attorneys Office, the Nevada County Public
Defender’s Office, the Nevada County Sheriff’s
Department, the Grass Valley Police Department,
Community Recovery Resources, and our local high
schools,” said Tonya Clark, Director of
Alternative Court Programs. “The court
appreciates the time and commitment from all of
these agencies; without their help, we could not
bring these valuable programs into our schools.”
The survey was completed by students after
attending the Real DUI Court Trial at their
respective schools. A majority of the students
(86%) agreed that drinking and drug use by teens
is dangerous and disagreed that it is okay to
ride with someone who is just a little drunk or
high. Just over three quarters of the students
(79 %) agreed that drinking and driving is a
serious crime for teens. Nearly three quarters
agreed that they had learned about the DUI laws
and that the program helped convince them not to
drive under the influence. Just over half were
in agreement that the program helps teens
appreciate the law and our justice system. “It’s
challenging to find a balance between keeping
the court trial real and keeping the students
engaged because a real court trial is not as
entertaining as the legal dramas they watch on
television. Overall I’m pleased with the results
of the survey. It’s a good tool to gauge what
we’ve done well and where we can improve in the
future,” stated Clark. The full survey can be
viewed on the Nevada County Superior Court’s
website at:
http://nevadacountycourts.com/documents/public/DUI_Survey.pdf
CHANGE IN PUBLIC COUNTER
AND TELEPHONE HOURS
NEVADA CITY – The Superior Court of California,
County of Nevada announces a change in public
counter and telephone hours. Beginning on August
4, 2008, the court clerk’s offices will be open
to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A drop box
will be provided for filings and payments
delivered after 4pm. Filings received before 5pm
will be filed on the date delivered.
This change applies only to court clerk’s
offices at the Nevada City courthouse (201
Church Street) and the Truckee Branch Court
(10075 Levon Avenue).
NORTHERN SIERRA AIR
QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AWARDS COURT $15,000
TO PURCHASE “GREEN” VEHICLE
NEVADA CITY - The Superior Court of Nevada
County announced today that it had been awarded
$15,000 to purchase a super low emission hybrid
vehicle for official court business. The funding
came through the Northern Sierra Air Quality
Management District (NSAQMD), who made the grant
from the AB 2766 DMV Surcharge Fund Program.
Grants under this program are earmarked for air
quality related transportation projects in
accordance with the California Clean Air Act of
1988. “We are honored and pleased to have been
named a grant recipient,” stated Sean Metroka,
the Court’s Executive Officer. “We recognize
that the duty to reduce air pollution is
especially important for public agencies, who
should be leading the support of this public
policy.
Mr. Metroka was quick to acknowledge the
leadership of the current presiding judge of the
Superior Courts, Sean P. Dowling and the other
judicial officers of the Court. “Without the
vision of the Bench, this funding would never
have been possible,” said Mr. Metroka.
The Court has already started the bid process to
find an appropriate vehicle. “Due to the
fiduciary responsibility of the Court to make
purchases based more upon costs than reducing
air pollution, it would have been very difficult
to justify spending extra for a hybrid when a
less fuel efficient vehicle would have been more
cost appropriate under current State financial
guidelines,” explained Mr. Metroka. “Now the
Court can meet both goals – a vehicle that is
less expensive than anything we could have
purchased without this grant funding, and we
help to reduce air pollution in Nevada County.”
Created in 1990, Assembly Bill 2766, known as
the “DMV Surcharge Fund Program,” allows
counties or air pollution control and air
quality districts to impose an additional fee on
vehicle registrations for reducing air pollution
from motor vehicles and for related efforts. The
purpose was to provide necessary funding for air
districts to carry out their responsibilities
for implementing the California Clean Air Act of
1988. Both public and private entities are
eligible to apply for funding. However, private
entities must be able to show a public benefit,
as opposed to solely a private benefit.
Court
Accepting Credit and Debit Cards (10/28/05)
NEVADA CITY, CA. October 28, 2005 - Nevada
County Superior Court announced today that there
is a new way for residents to pay their traffic
court fines and fees. By partnering with
Official Payments Corporation®, Nevada County
Superior Court now offers the option to pay
electronically, over the Internet at
www.officialpayments.com or by calling
1-800-350-3604. Visa®, Mastercard®, American
Express®, and Discover® credit and debit cards
are accepted.
“We are very pleased to offer this service,”
stated G. Sean Metroka, the Court’s Executive
Officer. “Many court users have asked to make
payments via credit card in the past.”
For now, the Court only accepts payments of
fines and fees related to traffic infractions.
Matters that have been referred to collections
are not eligible. Payments can only be made
through the Internet or through the toll free
telephone number. The Court is still unable to
accept credit card payments directly at their
public counters. “This is only the first phase
in improving this aspect of our customer
service. We are committed to being responsive to
our customers’ needs for credit card options to
pay fines and fees,” explained CEO Metroka, “and
we are equally committed to enhancing our
collection capabilities, for all Californians,
because the revenue supports many critical
programs of the State and local governments.”
Metroka also explained that after testing to
ensure that transactions are handled accurately
and efficiently, the Court would expand this
service to allow for payments for all fines and
fees, including criminal fines and family and
civil law filing fees.
Official Payments, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Tier Technologies, Inc., is the leading provider
of electronic payment solutions to government
agencies. They currently accept payments for the
Internal Revenue Service, 25 state governments,
including California, the District of Columbia,
and more then 1,800 local government agencies.
For many citizens, Official Payments offers the
ability to pay federal, state, and local taxes
and fees all in one session.
Citizens using cards with bonus rewards programs
may, depending on their card's program, earn
rewards, points, airline frequent flyer miles,
or cash back for paying their bills and taxes by
credit or debit card through Official Payments.
Official Payments charges users a convenience
fee for its electronic transaction services. To
preview the amount of the transaction fee,
please use the fee calculator on the Official
Payments website at www.officialpayments.com.
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