Miscellaneous

No Money Blues

By Anne Skove, Esq.

What happens when courts run out of money?

Wonder no more. Take a look at Houston County and the rest of Minnesota's Third Judicial District, which is experiencing this type of fallout:

• Court services office closed from 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.


• Fewer legal research positions, resulting in delayed court appearances and judicial decisions


• One morning a week: no walk-in counter or phone service (probable result: people milling around trying to figure out where to go)


• Fewer conciliation court hearings


• Extended jury terms will cut down on summoning and orienting new jurors


• Extended case processing times, with possible delays in filing, scheduling, and obtaining documents


• No marriage ceremonies performed during business hours. What does this look like, Vegas?


• Got a ticket? The court used to call folks to remind them if they failed to appear or pay. No more.


• 10% workforce reduction

Oddly enough, much of the missing money was earmarked out of reach.

See Changes Being Made at District Court Office Due to State Red Ink, Charlie Warner, The Caledonia Argus (March 4, 2008), and State Budgetary Woes Loom over Winona Courthouse, Kevin Behr, Winona Daily News (February 24, 2008).

See also Land of Ten Thousand Cuts, court-o-rama (February 15, 2008).

And check out the Law Moose!

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on March 04, 2008 (boomark / email).