PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michael A. Tozzi
August 4, 2009 (209) 525-6348
New Technology - Kiosks
MODESTO, CA—A new technology is coming to Turlock, one that will save our citizens time, travel and money. And, Turlock is the second city in the County to use the technology. With the temporary closure of the Turlock court, the kiosk will add a convenience to our customers.
It’s a Kiosk and it’s located at the Turlock Police Department, 900 North Palm Street. The new Kiosk links Turlock directly to the on-line services offered by the Superior Court. There are several conveniences for Turlock. For example, a) you can look up a case pending before the court, b) you can confirm a hearing or trial date, time and place, c) you can pay a traffic ticket using a credit card, and d) you can check on the outcome or the disposition of any case open or pending before the court. Anyone can come to the Police Department and use the new kiosk.
In the near future the kiosk may be used to file small claims cases and other case types.
Quote from Michael Tozzi:
“In the near future, we’ll be putting kiosks at 1010 – 10th Street and in Patterson" said Mike Tozzi, Court Executive Officer. Tozzi added: “Within one year or sooner we may be able to offer small claims filing and more convenient services through kiosk technology."
For further information, please contact Rebecca Fleming at (209) 525-6348 rebecca.fleming@stanct.org, Michael Tozzi michael.tozzi@stanct.org, or Debbie Brasher at (209) 530-3131 Debra.Brasher@stanct.org
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michael A. Tozzi
August 4, 2009 (209) 525-6348
New Technology
MODESTO, CA—A new technology is coming to Oakdale, one that will save our citizens time, travel and money. And, Oakdale is the first city in the County to use the technology.
It’s a Kiosk and it’s located inside City Hall. The new Kiosk links Oakdale directly to the on-line services offered by the Superior Court. There are several conveniences for Oakdalens. For example, a) you can look up a case pending before the court, b) you can confirm a hearing or trial date, time and place, c) you can pay a traffic ticket using a credit card, and d) you can check on the outcome or the disposition of any case open or pending before the court. Anyone can come to City Hall and use the new kiosk.
In the near future the kiosk may be used to file small claims cases and other case types.
Quote from Mayor Jackson: “The placement of an electronic kiosk in the Oakdale City Hall’s lobby is an excellent example of partnering with another public entity such as the Superior Court. This technology will save Oakdale residents, especially those without internet connections, time and money by not having to travel to Modesto in order to get information on court cases or to pay for traffic tickets.”
Another Quote:
“In the near future, we’ll be putting kiosks in Patterson and in Turlock. Oakdale was the first because of the cooperation we received,” said Mike Tozzi, Court Executive Officer. Tozzi added: “Within one year or sooner we may be able to offer small claims filing and more convenient services through kiosk technology.
For further information, please contact Rebecca Fleming at (209) 525-6348 rebecca.fleming@stanct.org, Michael Tozzi michael.tozzi@stanct.org, Debbie Brasher at (209) 530-3131 Debra.Brasher@stanct.org or Steve Hallam SHallam@ci.oakdale.ca.us
Contact: Michael Tozzi, Executive Officer
Tel. (209) 525-6348
Email: michael.tozzi@stanct.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUPERIOR COURT EMPLOYEES FACE 5% PAY CUT; TURLOCK BRANCH TO BE CLOSED
As a result of State imposed budget reduction to the California Judicial Branch all Stanislaus County Superior Court employee salaries will be reduced by 5%. The salary reduction for court employees will come in the form of a "furlough". The furlough was necessary in order to meet the State imposed budget cuts which totaled $3,400,000 locally. The budget for the Stanislaus County Superior Court is approximately $32,000,000.
Employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal (AFSME) voted in favor of the furlough or the 5% reduction. In all 261, represented and non-represented (management, professional and confidential) will be affected by the furlough. The furlough will begin on July 18th.
The furlough will be 13 days in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Each employee will be allowed to take 4 hours per pay period in order to minimize the impact on their take home pay.
In addition to the furlough, the court has also imposed a hiring freeze. In order to allay the impact of the freeze on court operations, processing paperwork filed by the public, law firms, etc., the court will reduce public access hours. The new hours effective July 27 will be 8 am to 2 pm.
The court will also be closing the branch court in Turlock. The anticipated saving from the closure, which will be effective on October 2nd, will be approximately $69,000. The closure is temporary until local budget issues are resolved and the court's two new additional judges have been appointed.
"The California legislature and the Governor may still impose a statewide mandatory furlough day which would close all courts statewide for one day per month. That day would deemed to be a court holiday. While Wednesday has been the day discussed in Sacramento, most local courts would prefer a Friday as being less disruptive to jury trials, preliminary hearings and other court calendars. The language for the mandated furlough is still in the budget trailer bill currently being discussed by the legislators", said Mike Tozzi, Court Executive Officer.
Regarding the salary reduction/furlough, Tozzi said: "The pay cut affects people who can least afford a reduction in their monthly disposable income. Most of our employees are spending more on gas, more on groceries, more on health care and more on services. In seems ironic and somewhat contradictory that in a time when we're suppose to be trying to stimulate the economy, people's disposable income is being reduced. It doesn't seem right to be hurting the people who can least afford a pay reduction."
The budget for the State Judicial Branch was reduced by $414,000,000. The Judicial Branch represents 2.5% of the total State budget, according to Tozzi.
Other courts affected by furloughs, layoffs, etc., are Los Angeles, Alameda, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Orange, and Glenn (limited list).
Contact: Mike Tozzi. 525-6348.
Contact: Laurel Howard, Judicial Administration Fellow
Tel. (209) 525-6619
Email: laurel.howard@stanct.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Murals
Riverbank High School (RHS) students’ murals commemorating Lincoln’s Bicentennial were unveiled at Law Day at the Vintage Faire Mall, Saturday May 16th. The murals, 6 in total, tell the story of Lincoln’s life; Lincoln’s Childhood, The Gettysburg Address, The Legacy of Liberty, The Emancipation Proclamation, Breaking Free and the Legend and the New Generation were all introduced by the Honorable Jack Jacobson, Presiding Judge of the Stanislaus Superior Court, as the artists stood by looking on. RHS Art Instructor Holly Cortes and her students described the paintings, and why the images were important to Lincoln’s Legacy. Principal Christine Facella was also on hand to show her support of the murals.
For the next year, the paintings will hang along a corridor on the first floor of the Stanislaus Superior Court. Each year the Stanislaus Superior Court asks one high school in the county to paint murals that parallel the “Law Day” theme.
Special thanks to all of the students who participated for their hard work and dedication to the year-long project-it was a great success. To see a group photo of the students click here.
Lincoln’s Childhood The Gettysburg Address The Legacy of Liberty
Sarah Silva Jessica Garcia Rigoberto Calderon
Luis Calderon Eric Do Stesha Orr
Juan Albor Heriberto Cisneros-Magana Jose Calderon
Diana Figueroa David Stephens Joshua Smith
Jeremy Rios Dillon Cook Stephanie Romero
Gerardo Pantoja Kyle Hardy Jessenia Manriquez
Kristal Navarrette Cindy Munoz Eric Page
Alejandra Tovar Paul Gonzalez Alan Vigil
Hugo Calderon Ivan Zamudio Blake Costalupes
David Vargas Adela Sanchez Kaylin Pavalos
The Emmancipation Breaking Free The Legend and the New
Proclamation Generation
Marcos Suarez Marc Hagan Nasr Alsamiri
Jackie Vigil Edgar Olmos Francisco Rivera
Alexandro Morales Courtney Hunstable Cassandra Gilbert
Alyssa Ortiz Maria Pantoja Kaitlyn Nelson
Luz Luna Alex Arana Mario Hernandez
Monserrat Villagomez Emily Eitelgeorge Ingrid Jimenez
Itzel Santos Martinez Sandra Reyes Rocio Figueroa
Ricardo Vigil Jennifer Lee Lupita Guzman
Marcus Sahagun Katie Ayers Maggie Montenegro
Jose Tamayo Molly Silveira Ryan Bowden
Xavyer Austin Jesus Cerda
Instructor: Holly Cortes
Principal: Christine Facella