Monder Law Group - News
San Diego Court Budget
Life is always full of hurdles and challenges that we must face. A current challenge for the county of San Diego is the historic budget cuts for the San Diego Superior Court. The San Diego Superior Court is experiencing $14 million in reduced funding as a result of state budget cuts. This extreme loss in receiving funds has forced the courthouse in Ramona to close down, the probate department in the Vista courthouse to shut down, and many other necessary but unprecedented changes have been made throughout county court system.
Presiding Judge Trentacosta recently said that “The cuts envisioned by our budget reduction plan will affect every judge, court employee and ultimately the litigants, court users and citizens of San Diego County.”
For lawyers, it will be a challenge to get certain matters on the court calendar as courtrooms are closing and it may not be as feasible for every matter to be heard in a courtroom. However, on a positive note, Judge Trentacosta has assured San Diego that criminal cases will continue to be prosecuted. Judge Frederic Link said that criminal courts will continue to take priority because defendants have a right to a speedy trial.
Civil cases are a different matter. Judge Link said that he expects civil lawsuits to take much, much longer than before. Many civil cases, no matter the type of case will be delayed. Attorneys will likely have to wait as patiently as they can until the court calls their case.
For the public, they will also have to wait for their cases to be heard. The public will also have to travel more than before to have their day in court.
Luckily, all of us in San Diego are on the same page when it comes to this challenge of the budget cuts. We all wish there was just more funding for the court system and that the San Diego courts did not have to make so many changes. Hopefully, San Diegans will find ways to keep moving forward and to ensure that everyone has their day in court despite the budget cut.
If you have any questions about the San Diego Court budget and how it will affect your case, contact San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Vik Monder at 619.405.0063
