Supreme Court Suspends June 2013 Oral Arguments in L.A.

for release

Cathal Conneely, 415-865-7738

October 30, 2012

Supreme Court Suspends Tradition of Holding June Oral Arguments in Los Angeles

SAN FRANCISCO—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye announced today that the Supreme Court will hold its June 2013 oral argument calendar in its San Francisco courtroom, rather than in Los Angeles, as previously scheduled.

“Ongoing judicial branch budget cuts have affected all courts, including the Supreme Court, and we, like the entire branch, are required to make difficult decisions to operate within our budget,” the Chief Justice said. “Our court decided that it would be prudent to hold its June 2013 oral argument calendar at its San Francisco headquarters, rather than travel to Los Angeles. We will still hold oral arguments in Los Angeles this December and in April 2013.”

Because of the state’s ongoing fiscal crisis, judicial branch support from the General Fund has been cut by more than 30 percent since the 2008–09 fiscal year, a cut that has been partially offset in the trial courts by redirecting critical infrastructure funds in an attempt to maintain basic court operations. The Supreme Court’s budget was cut 9.6 percent this past year. In the meantime, appellate court employees, including staff attorneys who assist the justices, are in their fourth year of mandatory, unpaid, monthly furloughs. In addition, as a cost-savings measure three years ago, the Supreme Court closed its satellite clerk’s office in Los Angeles.

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