Racial disparities in California's adult collaborative programs took center stage at the Judicial Council meeting on April 25, 2025. Justice Charles A. Smiley III and Veronica D. Lewis presented a comprehensive report aimed at addressing these inequities and improving access to treatment courts across the state.

Collaborative courts, which serve individuals involved in criminal cases seeking treatment, are designed to enhance public safety and accountability through partnerships among various stakeholders. However, the report highlights significant disparities in outcomes based on race and ethnicity, prompting the need for targeted actions.

The report outlines four priority areas for improvement: enhancing data collection on race and ethnicity, assessing equity within program operations, promoting best practices for equity, and strengthening community engagement. These initiatives aim to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equitable access to treatment and support.

A key recommendation is for all adult collaborative programs to assess their operations for equity and inclusion, using a free assessment tool recognized by national experts. This approach is expected to identify and rectify areas where racial disparities exist, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all participants.

The council emphasized that these recommendations would not incur additional costs, as they can be implemented using existing resources. The ongoing commitment to addressing racial disparities in collaborative courts reflects a broader goal of enhancing justice and reducing recidivism across California.

As the meeting concluded, the importance of these initiatives was underscored, with a call for continued efforts to ensure that all Californians have equal access to justice and support within the collaborative court system.