Local court system changes with state budget cuts
By ANGIE JOHANNSEN, News-Tribune Editor
Longer waits, backlogged cases and more jury duty could affect county
Changes are happening within the local court system that could affect Hancock County residents involved in legal matters.
Because of a slump in the national economy, and its direct affect on Iowa revenues, lawmakers are now working on a budget process that could eliminate courthouse positions and curtail hours. Some changes have already taken place, with Hancock County magistrate and district courts setting new schedules.
Hancock County Attorney Karen Kaufman Salic said new travel restrictions put on judges because of budgeting issues have brought about the most changes.
The cost of travel for court personnel has shifted from the state to litigants. Everyone now involved in a case, from witnesses to lawyers, has to travel to where a judge is, opposed to a judge keeping a schedule in each county.
District court in Hancock County is now being held every other Tuesday rather than every week.
Many counties do not have a sitting district judge like Hancock County. This means more cases are being moved here and this area is seeing tremendous - and burdensome - growth in jury trials.
Hancock County Clerk of Court Pat Holland, who also serves as clerk for Worth County, says more and more civil cases being heard here also means more work for those called for jury duty.
“Hancock jurors will be called a lot more,” she said.
“People can opt to postpone their trial if they do not want to travel, but who knows when they will get on the schedule again.”
Salic said the magistrate issue concerns her long-term; she worries about any changes happening within that office which could slow the law process. “They do the bulk of our judicial work,” said Salic.
Salic said the local magistrate for the county handles all initial appearances, search warrants, and small claims among other tasks.
“They are needed here daily, and if we lose that it could be a pretty significant blow to the timeliness of our court system.”
County-wise, the budget looks good; Salic said those involved in the Hancock County court system haven't had to make drastic changes like the state has.
Gov. Chet Culver and state lawmakers are working to reduce the judicial branch budget by $3.8 million through June 30 and up to $15.4 million in the following fiscal year.
Courthouses in Iowa's 99 counties were closed recently to save $335,000 by idling 1,604 court employees. Officials say more furloughs could happen over the next year under the proposed state budget cuts.
Holland says her office is already stretched and more furloughs will mean more delays.
Holland said she has heard rumors of one furloughed day a month until July and then two a month.
“We're just going to get more backlogged,” she said. “Eventually, with all the changes, we could come to a standstill.”
Holland said her office has seen an influx in real estate foreclosures and small claims lawsuits. This growing trend not only reflects a troubled economy, but means more work for the courthouse.
“We used to see maybe one foreclosure every six months,” she said. “Now, we're seeing three a month, and they are complicated and take a lot of work.”
Salic said she has also heard rumors that the judicial branch could do away with court reporters and go to electronic reporting. Other talk on combining court offices into central regional locations is just “unworkable” Salic said.
All these changes add up to more headaches for parties already thrust into the legal system. Simple cases may not be so simple any longer and could take much more time to resolve.
Salic and Holland said local offices such as the clerk and attorney's offices, the sheriff's department and the courthouse have worked together to set up a system for making sure they are still accessible to the public. Besides the furloughs, the courthouse staff isn't expecting to change daily business hours. They have already been working on a reduced schedule for more than five years.
Salic said the few bumps in the road so far are a testament to the board of supervisors and department heads keeping a close eye on their budgets.
“We've always been rather conservative in spending here, and we're really running bare-bones now,” Salic said. “That's a good thing for taxpayers; we've had some good people here doing the decision-making.”
Holland is still hoping for the same when it comes to state leaders.
“We're all just sitting on pins and needles waiting on Des Moines,” she said.
“I just don't think they are considering how all of this impacts rural Iowa.”
Story created Feb 24, 2009 - 10:16:18 CST.
|
