Judge Warns County Courts Will Cut Services Due To $133 Million Shortfall In Proposed Budget

The presiding judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court said Thursday that the county's courts would have to cut services due to inadequate funding in California's proposed new fiscal year budget.

The state's proposed Judicial Branch budget for the year 2014-2015, which begins July 1, includes an increase of $129.1 million for operating trial courts statewide, which is "a great disappointment," Judge Brian Walsh said in a statement.

Walsh said that the amount falls about $133 million short of what the state's courts needed just to maintain current levels of services to the public.

Santa Clara County's court system will have to close courtrooms, reduce services in Self-Help centers, Family Court mediations and the Clerk's Office, causing longer delays for obtaining documents and court orders, Walsh said.

"The harm to the public's access to justice will be as pronounced as it is unavoidable," Walsh said.

The State Legislature on Sunday approved a $156 billion budget and sent it to Gov. Brown, who is expected to sign it Friday in San Diego, according to a statement on the governor's website.

--Bay City News