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Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers have been drafted by the Task Force on Trial Court Employees for informational purposes. These questions and answers are for informational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be relied on as legal advice.

  1. What is the task force charged with doing?

  2. Can I contact the task force to express a concern?

  3. If the county I work for votes to unify, will I become a state employee?

The following questions and answers are quoted from the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts, Resource Manual on Trial Court Funding (December 1997). These questions and answers are for informational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be relied on as legal advice.

Please note, the Task Force timeline has been modified. The final report is expected to be issued December 30, 1999.
  1. What is the composition of the Task Force on Trial Court Employees, and how will appointments to that task force be made? What is the timeline for completion of its work?

  2. What will happen to court employees' retirement funds and other vested benefits?

  3. In the interim, who will determine salaries and benefits of court employees?

  4. What impact will county-approved cost of living increases (COLAs) have on court budgets? Will there be a cap on increases by the state?

  5. If sufficient funds are available within its approved budget allocation, may a court grant equity adjustments to court employees, court executive officers, or other staff without county approval?

  6. Will marshals or sheriff's staff that provide allowable Rule 810 services[Cal. Rules of Court, rule 810] be included for study by the Task Force on Trial Court Employees as outlined in Gov. Code, § 77603(f)?

  7. How will courts seek approval for changes in personnel classifications? Will courts continue to use the process in place now? What happens if the county is currently considering reclassification? Will coordinated courts, with sufficient budgeted funds, be permitted to reclassify positions in accordance with the model trial court system and improve salaries in accord with TCBC [Trial Court Budget Commission] ranges?

  8. How will the concerns of non-unionized employees be heard if court employees become employees of the state?

  9. What impact will the Legislation [Trial Court Funding Act of 1997] have on existing MOUs [memoranda of understanding]?