Justice being served? State courts see ‘devastating’ cuts

Under Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposal to address the state’s whopping $935 million shortfall, the court system’s budget would be slashed by four percent, or $13 million, according to MPR. Among its consequences, it would mean cutting 220 jobs across the courts statewide. The Legislature’s idea of “plan b” isn’t much more encouraging for an already bare-bones judicial branch. (Up to 100 positions could be cut.)

Already the courts are severely understaffed. Anoka County, for instance, is reportedly down seven administrative clerks due to budget constraints. As is to be expected, the remaining clerks struggle to keep up with a mounting workload, which then puts the judges behind, and so forth. Meanwhile, Anoka County judges take turns sharing law clerks, taking on their own research when their clerk is elsewhere. Additionally, MPR points out, courts are required to foot the bill for interpreters, psychological exams, jury costs and more. As a result, two districts have already seen a recent round of layoffs, while 207 positions have been left unfilled.

The effect of the budget cuts on the courts? As Minnesota Chief Justice Russell Anderson (pictured) put it: “Devastating.”