Welcome

The Monterey County Superior Court Joint Committee on the Elimination of Bias is asking to hear from our community. To gain a better understanding of the biases experienced in the legal system within Monterey County, the committee is requesting that you fill out this survey. In doing so, please consider the following definition of bias, according to the Oxford English Dictionary: prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. All answers will remain anonymous.

   

The survey is meant for all community members – all persons who have encountered the Monterey County judicial system (including jury members, paralegals, administrative assistants, courtroom staff, and attorneys.) Understanding that we, as human beings, have biases that affect our actions, the Committee is committed to working within our community to help identify and eliminate actions that prevent a fair and impartial court environment and judicial system. 

 

 

The purpose of this Committee is to assist in maintaining courtrooms free of bias and the appearance of bias through sponsoring educational programs, training, and promoting open communication.

 

Additionally, please note that biases may be conscious or unconscious; as explained in Judicial Council Of California Criminal Jury Instruction 200, “Many people have assumptions and biases about or stereotypes of other people and may be unaware of them.”