LEMOORE, Calif. (KMPH) -
A South Valley courthouse is closing because of state budget cutbacks, Kings County officials say.
Kings County Superior Court announced Tuesday it will be closing the courthouse in Lemoore by August 6.
Family law and traffic cases will be shifted to courthouses in Hanford and Corcoran, the court said.
Court officials say state budget cutbacks are forcing the necessary "evil," which will also include layoffs and unpaid furloughs for court employees and reduced operating hours for other Kings County courthouses as well.
According to the Kings County Superior Court, this is what people can expect:
1. The Court in Lemoore will cease all operations effective September 10, 2012. All matters and staff will be transferred to the Hanford and Corcoran courthouses. The Superior Court will do its best in minimizing impact and try to ease the transition of service operations;
2. Beginning immediately and continuing the cessation of such services due to the closure of the Lemoore facility, Family Law Facilitator services offered at that location will be reduced from two days per week to one. Family Law Court Facilitator services will be available on all other court days at the Court's Hanford or Corcoran locations; and,
3. Effective September 12, 2012, the public windows of the Clerk's Offices of the Kings County Superior Court, will be open as follows:
-- Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
-- Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For more information, visit www.kings.courts.ca.gov.
