The Judicial Council of California is honoring Superior Court of Orange County Juvenile Presiding Judge Maria D. Hernandez and Chief Executive Officer Alan Carlson with its 2016 Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Carlson and Robert Oyung, Chief Information Officer of the Superior Court of Santa Clara, are being honored jointly. This is the highest award presented by the Judicial Council of California.

The Judicial Council of California News Release includes the following information about the selection of Judge Hernandez and Mr. Carlson:

Judge Maria D. Hernandez has displayed personal dedication and extraordinary commitment to advancing and improving the juvenile justice system. In 2015, she convened the first Orange County Juvenile Justice Summit, bringing together more than 400 court leaders, attorneys, probation officers, law enforcement, and education and treatment professionals to talk about improving outcomes for juveniles. In addition to supervising Orange County’s juvenile court judicial officers, Judge Hernandez is a member of many state and local committees, including the Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Access and Fairness and the Chief Justice’s “Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court” Steering Committee. She has also served as faculty and speaker on issues affecting families and children in the justice system. Judge Hernandez was appointed to the Superior Court of Orange County as a commissioner in 2006 and later a judge by former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009.

Alan Carlson and Robert Oyung have been leaders in using technology to modernize and enhance court operations. Mr. Carlson is a state and national leader in the field of public access to court records and e-filing. His court piloted and adopted mandatory e-filing in civil, probate, and mental health cases in 2013.
The Distinguished Service Award honors California judicial branch members; federal, state, or local justice partners; or individuals for their extraordinary dedication, outstanding leadership, and significant contributions to advancing the council's strategic goals for the judicial branch:

• Access, fairness, and diversity;
• Independence and accountability;
• Modernization of management and administration;
• Quality of justice and service to the public;
• Education for branchwide professional excellence;
• Branchwide infrastructure for service excellence; and
• Adequate, stable and predictable funding for a fully functioning branch.

The awards will be presented by the Judicial Council of California at a special ceremony on August 25 in San Francisco.