FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
It's a sign of the times. Governor Jerry Brown announced unprecedented cuts to the state's judicial branch, and now Fresno County Superior Court administrators say they have no other choice but to make drastic cuts themselves.
Court administrators say they are losing out on about 77 percent of its operating funds; that's nearly 27 million dollars. Because of that all seven satellite courthouses will close and employees will be forced to work out of downtown Fresno.
Chief Executive Officer of the Fresno County Superior Courthouse Tamara Beard says, "We regret the budget has forced us to curtail public access to the courts and that it impacts our wonderful employees."
She adds, "A 28 million dollar budget cut to our budget forces us to do something that we would never imagine that we would have to do."
So come July 30th, the courts in Coalinga, Firebaugh, Reedley, Sanger, and Selma will close.
And by August 6th, the courts in Clovis and Kingsburg will shut down as well.
This combined with the reduction of about 70 positions through attrition, a 10 percent pay cut for employees and 12 extra furlough days administrators say will prevent layoffs, for now.
But not forever, Presiding Judge Gary Hoff says, "We are not confident that this is the last cuts we are getting."
He adds a possible delay in court proceedings will take place, allowing some criminals to remain on the street longer.
Judge Hoff says, "If things get delayed more opportunities to have screw ups and justice delayed is justice denied."
