SF To Shutter Courtrooms; Lay Off 200 Workers

[Synicus Maximus]

Source: KTVU TV

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Superior Court announced Monday that it's laying off more than 40 percent of its staff and shuttering 25 courtrooms because of budget cuts.

Presiding Judge Katherine Feinstein said the actions were necessary to close a $13.75 million budget deficit caused by state budget cuts. She said the cuts mean it will take many more hours to pay a traffic ticket in person, up to 18 months to finalize a divorce and five years for a lawsuit to go to trial.

"The civil justice system in San Francisco is collapsing," Feinstein said.

Read more: http://www.ktvu.com/news/28586520/detail.html

[aquart]

1. OR they could tax the rich.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Taking the Big Plunge into the Double Dip

wonder how the TeaFarty is going to spin this one

Forget it - I already know

[cstanleytech]

3. They will probably push to have dueling made legal to resolve "legal disputes" in a timely manner.

[harvey007]

4. Here's what Dirty Harry says about that!

http://www.the-dirtiest.com/sounds/pencil.wav

[obxhead]

5. Legalizing drugs could severely lighten their load.

[boppers]

6. Criminal courts aren't being affected.

This is about civil court matters.

[obxhead]

9. Free up the time of criminal judges and have them cover

shifts in civil court.

[harmonicon]

8. of civil suits? nt.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. Justice...if you can afford it.

[Supersedeas]

10. Republican law and order priorities?