STATE'S BUDGET WOES AFFECT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
An unfortunate aspect of the State's recent budget woes has been severe budget cuts to the court system. Depending on any county's caseload and court administration, this has affected some counties more severely than others. Los Angeles County Superior Court as the largest court system in the state has been most adversely affected, resulting in the closing of many trial departments and layoff of staff for indefinite periods of time. San Francisco has also taken similar hits.
Orange County Superior Court, and which can pride itself on being one of the best-managed courts in the State, has largely been able to avoid the same closures and layoffs that have affected Los Angeles and San Francisco.
However, and effective July 30, 2012, the regular hours of operation for the Orange County Clerk's Offices will be from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., cutting off their usual closure time of 4:30 P.M. Obviously, it could have been worse.
When the justice system is subjected to budgetary cuts, it is usually the civil caseload that fares the worse, as Constitutional safeguards of the right to a speedy trial mean that the courts' criminal caseload will be given first priority to trial courts and process.
It is a shame that the right to a fair day in court should be delayed or denied because those elected to run this State cannot do so.
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