Budget Cuts Put State Courts In Crisis

California’s judicial system is in crisis mode — and getting worse.

Up and down the state, courtrooms are closing because of steep budget cuts.

“We will get through these cuts because we have to,” said California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, as she spoke at a luncheon in Palm Desert to a group of local judges and attorneys.

Cantil-Sakauye laid out the grim statistics — $350 million cut from the judicial branch last year, $653 million over the last four years.

“What we’re concerned about is public service. That people will find out too late that what they relied upon — the third branch of government where they can civilly and peaceably settle their disputes — will no longer be in the form they think it is,” said Cantil-Sakauye.

The chief justice said there’s no slowdown in court filings — with 10 million cases filed just last year in California.

But because of a lack of funding, the court system can’t keep up.

And the cuts are especially painful in Riverside County, where there is serious concern over the lack of judges.

“We are in the mid-50s as far as judges. By any account, we need 140 to 160 judges. So we simply have always done more with much, much less than other counties,” said Riverside County Presiding Judge Sherrill Ellsworth.

“The state has forced more work upon the counties, the county courts and D.A. offices throughout the state. So we’re having to do more work with less money. And that’s insanity,” said Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach.

Cantil-Sakauye said the system can continue to work to be more efficient and flexible, but fears the courts will not be able to make up for more cuts in the future.

“The governor, the legislature have tough choices and I’m glad I’m not making those choices. But I’m an advocate for this branch, and the laws they pass are meaningless if there’s no judicial branch to enforce it,” Cantil-Sakauye said.