Hon. Harry E. Hull, Jr.
Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District (Sacramento)

Current Term: Sept 15, 2014 – Sept 15, 2017
Membership: Voting member, appointed by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye

Internal Committees: Rules and Projects Committee, Chair; Executive and Planning Committee; Litigation Management Committee; Policy Coordination and Liaison Committee
Council Liaison to: Superior Courts of Glenn, Nevada, Sacramento, and Tuolumne Counties

Justice Hull began his judicial career in 1995 when he was appointed to the Superior Court of Sacramento County. In late 1997, he was appointed to the Court of Appeal and was confirmed in early 1998. Before joining the bench, he was assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of California from 1976 to 1979, was in private law practice in 1979, and was an associate and partner of the Sacramento law firm of McDonough, Holland & Allen from 1979 to 1995, serving as chairman of the board from 1994 to 1995. Justice Hull served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps from 1972 to 1976 and was a circuit prosecutor from 1974 to 1976. Justice Hull was originally appointed to the council by the Chief Justice in Jan 2011 to fill out the remainder of her term when she became Chief Justice. The Chief Justice appointed him as Chair of the council's Rules and Projects Committee, the committee which oversees the development and approval of the California Rules of Court, the California Standards of Judicial Administration, and Judicial Council forms. In Nov 2012, he was appointed by the Chief Justice as Co-Chair of the Trial Court Funding Workgroup, a judicial and executive branch working group evaluating the progress of statewide funding for trial courts.  More >>

Liaison Report on Nevada County Superior Court, Jun 2016
In April 2016, Justice Harry Hull visited the Superior Court in Nevada County. He reports to council that the court, still reeling with funding instability, reduced self-help hours for its citizens from 40 hours to 30 hours per week; and is stressed with security concerns in both courthouses.

Liaison Report on Glenn County Superior Court, Jun 2015
Glenn Superior Court is looking forward to the expansion and renovation of its historic courthouse. The project should be completed by April of 2017. Justice Hull noted that the current courthouse—like so many others of the same age and size—have security issues because jurors, witnesses, and in-custody prisoners share a small public space.  In the meantime, the court expects a $400,000 deficit this year. It has not been able to fill staffing vacancies, has cut back on self-help services, and closes its counters at 3:00 p.m. each day. It relies on Judicial Council staff for legal services and human resources. It also receives legal research services through the Trial Court Research Attorney Program, in which staff attorneys from the Sacramento Superior Court provide research assistance to judges from 15 small courts. This program is supported by the Judicial Council’s Assigned Judges Program.

Liaison Report on Nevada County Superior Court, Apr 2015
Justice Hull describes the fiscal challenges of the court. In recent years, the court has downsized staff from 76 to 56. With just 6 judges, the court relies on the councils' Assigned Judges Program for bench support. Though the court will finish the year with a surplus after years of deficits, it expects that cash advancements will be required in the future. The recently enacted 1% reserve rule limits their ability to save for much needed repair to their outdated courthouse built in 1864(photos from his visit are included in the video). Despite their fiscal challenges, the court is recognized for its implementation of Laura's Law, and ongoing service to veteran's in Nevada County.