Shortened Blythe court hours begin tomorrow
Shortened operating hours at the Blythe courthouse begintomorrow.
Under the new schedule, the court at 265 N. Broadway will be open to thepublic only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Previously, the court had been open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.to 4 p.m.
The reduced hours are due to state budget constraints. In May, RiversideCounty Superior Court announced it was considering closing or reducing hoursat the Blythe and Temecula courthouses “because the significant continuingreductions in state funding for superior courts and resulting cuts in theRiverside court’s budget require this action.”
The state budget signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on June 27 returned $60million of the roughly $500-plus-million gouged out of state court operationssince 2008 as California wrestled with billions in red ink.
Riverside County Presiding Judge Mark Cope said the infusion translatesto roughly $5.3 million more in the local court budget for fiscal 2013-14.However, aggregate budget cuts over the last five years total $20 million.
Instead of closing the Blythe and Temecula courts, Superior Courtofficials implemented an alternative plan that slashed hours of operation atboth locations.
On Tuesdays, the Blythe court will hear traffic, misdemeanor and felonycriminal matters; felony criminal matters on Thursdays; and on Fridays, familylaw matters, civil, small claims and unlawful detainer matters and conducttraffic court trials.
People contesting alleged traffic infraction and attempting to getanswers to questions about how to proceed, will not be able to speak with courtpersonnel via phone but will instead have to make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting. Appointments can be made online.
Residents may also pay fines, request extensions or take care of mostother routine traffic-related matter online.
Further details are available online at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov.
