WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Will Cutting Court Costs Hurt Crime Victims?

Will Cutting Court Costs Hurt Crime Victims?

Montpelier, Vermont - September 9, 2009

Last year Vermont lawmakers instructed the judiciary to find ways to become more efficient and cuts costs.

They responded with furloughs and weekly half-day shutdowns. They also created a special cost-cutting commission to find other ways to save at least $1 million.

"The timing of the commission which originally would have had a longer period of time to do its work, and the timing of the incredible budget cuts, forced us to a place where we needed to ramp up the commission's work," explained Pat Gabel, a spokesperson for the Vermont judiciary.

One recommendation is to consolidate the courts. All of courts in each county-- District, Superior, Family, Probate-- would come under one management. That would eliminate some administrative staff and save an estimated $1 million.

Another recommendation is to close the courts in both Grand Isle and Essex Counties. All criminal and civil cases would be moved to other counties. That would save an estimated $300,000 a year.

The other major recommendation is to eliminate the judicial authority of the state's side judges. They are elected county officials but not lawyers who assist presiding judges in civil matters. Taking them off the bench would save an estimated $300,000.

Senator Vincent Illuzzi-- also the Essex County prosecutor-- says closing the courts in Essex and Grand Isle counties could be a big mistake.

"I'm willing to work with the Supreme Court but not to the point where we simply x-out Essex County, Grand Isle County, perhaps some of the probate districts around the state, as in Orange County, the more rural areas, which, if you're a resident in that town, and you're a low-income person, and you're not trained in the law, it's important to have local access to the judicial system," said Illuzzi, R-Essex/Orleans Counties.

"I think when Senator Illuzzi does read the reports, he'll see that access to justice for all Vermonters, not just for Vermonters with resources, is one of the core principles that's guiding both the judiciary and the commission," Gabel said.

Again, these are only recommendations from the focus groups. The special commission will hold a public hearing on the ideas on Friday. And ultimately, the legislature may have the final say on whether any of these changes take place.

To read the full reports on the cost-cutting recommendations, click the link below, then click on the + next to Commission Meeting to see the reports you can read.

www.vermontjudiciary.org/MasterPages/WhatsNew-CommissionJudicialOps.aspx

Brian Joyce - WCAX News