An executive of the state prison system was named today as the new administrative director of the staff of the California Judicial Council, the policymaking body for the state courts.
Martin Hoshino, 50, currently undersecretary for operations at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, was unanimously selected by the council at a meeting in San Francisco today.
Hoshino will take office on Oct. 1, following the retirement of current administrative director Stephen Jahr. He will lead the council’s staff of about 800 people, based in San Francisco.
The Judicial Council, chaired by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, is made up of 15 judges, four lawyers and two legislators.
It sets policy for the California courts, the nation’s largest court system. The statewide system has more than 2,000 judges and nearly 19,000 employees in 58 county superior courts, six regional appeals courts and the state Supreme Court.
The council staff was previously known as the Administrative Office of the Courts, but the council ended the use of that name on July 29.
The administrative staff provides support for council task forces and committees, manages courthouse construction and maintenance and conducts education and training programs for judges and court staff, among other services.
As undersecretary of operations for the CDCR, Hoshino supervised a $10 billion budget and 60,000 employees. Before joining that agency in 2003, Hoshino worked in the California Inspector General’s Office and state Controller’s Office. He has a master’s degree in public administration and political science from the University of California at Davis.
Hoshino was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2012 to serve on a state working group that was evaluating trial court funding.
Court of Appeal Justice Harry Hull of Sacramento, who headed a council search committee, said, “Martin is highly regarded within the Brown administration, has worked well with the Legislature, and his work experience reflects his deep and broad understanding of state government.”
As a result of the state’s recent budget crisis, the court system has suffered deep funding cuts that resulted in closed courtrooms, staff layoffs and reduced hours of public service.
Brown issued a statement saying Hoshino “did an outstanding job of helping the state manage its prison system during a very difficult period.
“He’ll be a great help to the California judiciary,” the governor said.
Julia Cheever, Bay City News
