Napa Courts Facing State Budget Cuts

Doing more work with less funding.

That is what the state is asking the county courts to do as legislators whittle away at the amount of funding for the statewide county court branches.

Funding to keep the county courts doing its day-to-to day operations comes from the state’s budget.

“This is the third year of ongoing cuts for the courts statewide,” said Napa County Court Executive Officer Richard Feldstein.

“Our budget for 2010-2011 is $11.9 million, where three years ago it was $12.5 million. Statewide, the state has made a $3.5 million cut to all county courts.
 Napa County courts are scrambling to absorb the cut in funding without having to sacrifice public services.”

During the past three years, Napa County has seen its court staff reduced by 10 percent, Feldstein said.“We have done a lot of it through attrition and volunteer retirements, which has reduced having to lay off staff,” Feldstein said.

Starting in 2009, Napa County courts implemented a 12-day furlough per year, without pay, for its staff, including judges.

“The furloughs resulted in a savings of about $250,000,” Feldstein said. “This year we have a nine-day furlough.”

The furloughs also mean the Napa courts are closed one Wednesday a month. “It’s tough. Just because the courts are closed doesn’t mean the court’s work stops,” Feldstein said.

“We have a heavy court calendar every week, but the time to take care of business has not been extended. It just means the same amount of work in less time.”

Although the civil court calendar is somewhat backlogged, that is not the case for the criminal calendar. The law grants those arrested for a crime due process of law in a timely manner.

“We are doing what we are mandated to with criminal cases,” Feldstein said.“Our main concern is to give all criminal cases due process of law and try to see the budget cuts and furloughs have a minimal affect on the public,” he said.

Feldstein said the budget cuts and furloughs have not just affected the courts, “but it has put a hardship on the jail as well.”

The courts statewide are also hoping for an extra $180 million from the state, which is available through cutting back on prison construction.

“We haven’t heard from the State Judicial Counsel if and when the money will be available. The amount of money each county court receives depends on the size of the county,” Feldstein said. “Obviously Los Angeles County will receive more than Napa County.”

Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein said the timing of the state budget cuts “couldn’t have happened at worse time." With the state realignment bill taking effect, the counties are struggling to adjust to the new mandates, which include some prisoners sentenced to state prison may do their time in the county jail instead of prison.
This does not apply to those convicted of sexual or violent crimes.

“It will be a burden not only on the jails, but the probation department as well,” Lieberstein said. “Parolees who violate their parole will be dealt with through the county courts, not the state.”

Lieberstein said the court furloughs can be hard on the public. “Closing the courts one day a month is something no one wants to see. It can be hard on jurors having to take a break because the court is closed,” he said.

Lieberstein said Napa County is in a better position than some other counties. “We have been meeting with law enforcement agencies long before the realignment law was put into effect. We wanted to be ready for this,” he said.

“Sacramento County has laid off 31 attorneys. We have not had to let anyone in Napa County go.

“Public safety is supposed to be the government’s number one priority, and unfortunately, our funding keeps getting cut.”

Many Napa residents don’t feel the monthly one day court closure will impact their lives.

Jerry Stillman said, “I really don’t ever use the court system. And I hope I won’t have to. But it is sad and even scary that the courts, cops and firefighters have to take big cuts because the state can’t balance the budget.”

Marilyn Summers agrees with Stillman. “I really haven’t had to use the courts much. But if I did, I would want them to available to me when I need them,” she said.

Larry Langford of Fairfield was not a happy man when he drove all the way to Napa a few months ago to settle a traffic ticket and found the courthouse doors locked.

“I took time off my job to drive to Napa. I guess I should have called ahead of time, but who thinks the courthouse will be closed in the middle of week if it isn’t a holiday?”