Archive for the ‘Court Closures’ Category
Budget cuts will cause backlogs, delays in Florida courts
Court officials in Florida are warning the public that there could be delays in civil matters due to budget cuts.
The Sunshine State's 2012-2013 budget reportedly will cut $31 million from the court system, which will cause the delays, according to the Palm Beach Post. The courts will have to work with a $416 million budget.
CommentsPhiladelphia moves to address court backlog
Leaders of the judicial system in Philadelphia say they are making changes to help address a growing backlog of cases in the court.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that some believe the backlog situation in the courts was worsened in 2009 when comments from officials such as Common Pleas Court President Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe implied that inviting out-of-town lawsuits to be filed there would increase the system's fee revenues.
Growing court backlog in Victoria leads to outrage
There is a growing level of discontent in Victoria, British Columbia, over the lack of progress concerning a growing backlog in the province's justice system, according to The Vancouver Sun.
The newspaper reported that the growing court backlog has led many citizens to ask for increased funding for the justice system, as a lack of immediate action has led to a worsening of the situation.
Weekend court closings in Illinois provide difficulties for residents
Several counties in the Chicago suburbs are protesting the closure of courts during weekends in nearby towns, as local government officials are claiming it will cost them more money and staff time, according to the Chicago Daily Herald.
The newspaper reported that the Cook County Board "quietly made the decision" while approving its 2012 budget in the last month of 2011. The local government entity decided to move forward with the closures as a way to save more than $1.9 million.
Lawsuit to save Ohio courthouse dropped
A group of Seneca County, Ohio taxpayers were fighting the demolition of a 1884 courthouse, but these citizens have said they will not take the matter to trial, according to the Toledo Blade.
The news source reported that the protesters were trying to save the courthouse, as part of a fight to provide adequate court facilities for the administration of justice within the county. However, they gave up after deciding that pursuing litigation would only hurt the local government more.
Local court combination in New York leads to criticism
The merger of town and village courts in Malone, New York, has led to criticism from local residents, as a backlog has grown and an audit was conducted to study the effect of the closure, according to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican.
The news source reported that the judges and staff who were criticized in the findings of the audit said that they were unprepared for the transition, and noted that this type of adjustment usually takes 18 months before staff is able to work out the kinks.
Issues with court system show benefits of divorce mediation
There are many issues with the court systems in areas across the U.S. that may lead to a more contentious and stressful divorce than is necessary. Couples should consider pursuing a different strategy like divorce mediation in an effort to reduce the tension and negative consequences that can come from a lengthy legal battle.
A divorce mediation can help to eliminate the high divorce costs that can arise due to the lack of resources for courts and the elongated process that can result from the limited funds and time that judges have. (more…)
North Carolina county has large backlog of divorce cases
Quickly wrapping up divorce proceedings is important for all involved but it is becoming a rare thing in America’s court system.
Many states have had to cut court services and close facilities due to budget restrictions and this has affected all manner of court proceedings, from traffic tickets to criminal cases. However, one county in North Carolina is struggling with civil domestic cases, such as child custody and divorce. (more…)
New court helps alleviate case backlog in Manhattan
Officials in Manhattan recently established a special court to help alleviate the case backlog the area was experiencing.
The new “quality-of-life” court – so called because it deals with nonviolent, minor offenses – has allowed the caseload at the Manhattan Criminal Court to be reduced by almost 20 percent compared to two years ago, reports the New York Times. (more…)
Oklahoma county to cut vital divorce program
Courts around the country have been cutting their budgets over the course of the past few years to deal with the economic downturn. The unfortunate side effect of a this has been long delays and service cuts at many court facilities.
While in recent months some of the problems with court delays and under staffing at such facilities has been related to handling traffic tickets or dealing with mortgage backlogs, a program that provides essential services for families undergoing divorce in Oklahoma may be on the chopping block. (more…)
