As expected, the final draft of the Commission on Judicial Operation report to the legislature recommends the near-closure of the Grand Isle and Essex County Courthouses. The two courts would each have a full-time docket clerk, but no other staff.
The study panel is also recommending the complete unification of Vermont’s court system, currently split between the state and county levels, a reduction in the number of probate courts, and the elimination of the judicial functions currently performed by the assistant judges.
The commission was charged with finding nearly $1 million in savings from the judiciary budget and is to report its findings to the legislature in January. The commission will meet Friday morning to discuss the final draft of the report.
The panel claims its proposed changes would save $1.2 million in general fund spending and another $1.2 million in county taxes.
Currently, the district and family courts are state courts, while the probate and superior courts are county courts. Some county court personnel are paid by the county and some are paid by the state. The counties also receive the fees generated by the small claims court to help cover their court costs.
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Judicial Panel Reports Shakes Up State Courts
More and more courthouses seem to be closing across the country.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the citizens will reap the rewards of a tax benefit.
I hate to see the workers possibly lose their jobs in this economy.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Anon 2, but perhaps the courts were bloated all along.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to see any more lost jobs either, but at the same time, everybody needs to tighten their belt against waste.