Maybe you guys should cut back on all the stupid laws that get over-litigated, although that would put a lot of lawyers out of work, wouldn't it?
"Level funding urged for state’s courts" March 20, 2012
Lawmakers are hearing warnings from lawyers and judges that budget constraints on the state’s judiciary are imperiling the delivery of justice and compromising security in Massachusetts courts. The Boston Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association hosted a Court Advocacy Day at the State House Monday to lobby for level funding for the state’s courts. The groups are asking for a $25 million boost in spending over what Governor Deval Patrick has recommended for the fiscal year starting July 1. The chief administrative justice of the trial court, Robert Mulligan, said a nearly four-year hiring freeze has reduced court staffing by 17 percent, making it nearly impossible to keep up with caseload.
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Related: Bill would cut back on lawyers for poor
But they always have money for corporate welfare and debt service for banks (while you get lip service).
"State budget cuts leaving courthouses overburdened nationwide" October 27, 2011|By Greg Bluestein, Associated Press
ATLANTA - Prosecutors are forced to ignore misdemeanor violations to pursue more serious crimes. Judges are delaying trials to cope with layoffs and strained staffing levels. And in some cases, those charged with violent crimes, even murder, are set free because caseloads are too heavy to ensure they receive a speedy trial.
Deep budget cuts to courts, public defenders, district attorneys, and attorney general offices are testing the criminal justice system across the country. In the most extreme cases, public defenders are questioning whether their clients are getting a fair shake.
Exact figures on the extent of the cuts are hard to come by, but an American Bar Association report in August found that most states cut court funding 10 percent to 15 percent within the past three years. At least 26 states delayed filling open judgeships, while courts in 14 states were forced to lay off staff, the report said.
The National District Attorneys Association estimates that hundreds of millions of dollars in criminal justice funding and scores of positions have been cut amid the economic downturn, hampering the ability of authorities to investigate and prosecute cases.
“It’s extremely frustrating,’’ said Scott Burns, an association member. “Frankly, the people that do these jobs have a lot of passion. They don’t do these jobs for the money. They are in America’s courtrooms every day to protect victims and do justice. And they’re rewarded with terminations, furloughs, and cuts in pay.’’
The cuts come as civil and criminal caseloads for many state and county systems have swelled....
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