Residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties could see improved access to the court system as new state funding moves forward to address a longstanding shortage of judges in some of California’s fastest-growing communities.
The Inland Empire Legislative Caucus recently announced that California’s 2026–27 state budget includes funding to begin expanding judicial capacity in under-resourced areas, including courts serving San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The state budget provides $44 million annually to support the phased implementation of 13 new Superior Court judgeships. An additional $100 million has been allocated for related court facilities. The investment could be especially significant for the Inland Empire, where rapid population growth has placed increasing demands on courts and other public services.
For local residents, the number of available judges can have a direct effect on how quickly cases move through the court system. Superior courts handle a wide range of matters affecting families and businesses, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family law, probate matters, juvenile proceedings and other legal issues.
When courts have too few judicial officers to handle their caseloads, hearings and trials can take longer to schedule. Those delays can affect defendants, crime victims, families, attorneys, law enforcement agencies and residents attempting to resolve civil disputes.
San Bernardino and Riverside counties together make up one of California’s largest population centers. Both counties have experienced decades of residential and commercial growth as families and businesses have moved farther inland from coastal areas.
That growth has created opportunities throughout the region, but it has also increased pressure on transportation systems, schools, healthcare providers, public safety agencies and courts.
The new funding represents an effort to bring judicial resources closer to the level needed to serve the Inland Empire’s growing population.
The investment is not expected to transform the court system overnight. New judgeships are being implemented in phases, and additional courtroom space, employees and supporting infrastructure may be necessary as judicial capacity increases.
However, regional leaders have described additional judges as an important step toward improving access to justice for Inland Empire residents.
The funding also demonstrates the growing importance of cooperation between San Bernardino and Riverside counties on regional issues. Although each county operates its own Superior Court system, both face many of the same challenges associated with population growth and increasing demand for government services.
For residents, businesses and families navigating the legal system, additional judicial resources could eventually mean shorter waits for hearings, greater courtroom availability and a court system better equipped to handle the Inland Empire’s growing caseload.
As San Bernardino and Riverside counties continue to expand, investments in courts and other essential public infrastructure will remain an important part of ensuring that government services keep pace with the communities they serve.