California Courts Budget Process

Impacts on Court Users

Courthouse Construction: Immediate and Critical Needs

More budget video on YouTube
Audio clips
Small audio files of Judicial branch representatives and stakeholders describe what is happening in the courts. Full audiocasts from council meetings are available on the council's meeting pages.

Judge David Ruben, San Diego County Superior Court (2:12)
"Obviously I see a level of stress in the folks that come before me, as do all of my colleagues around this table, that is very hard to explain to people in terms of we have children who are living in cars, we have...before we can get to them because of the budget cuts, we just simply can't." Presentation to the Judicial Council on Aug 30, 2012  Audio, transcript




Presiding Judge David Rosenberg, Yolo County Superior Court (3:03)
"Every member of the Legislature has to have sufficient funding to do their job. Same is true for judges. And we're seeing court closures, we're seeing cut-backs in services. And we're on the midst, or at least the beginnings, of what may be a constitutional crisis if we can't do our job." Presentation to the Judicial Council on Aug 30, 2012  Audio, transcript

Judge Cheryl Elsworth, Riverside County Superior Court (3:10)
"We are here living day to day in a community that is crying out for the services that only the third branch of government–not a state agency, not a department–can give reprieve to those who are not getting access. And it will be on the backs of victims." Presentation to the Judicial Council on Aug 30, 2012  Audio, transcript


W.M. "Bill" Robinson, (Former) President of the American Bar Association (10:38 with introduction by the Chief Justice)
"Layoffs from Kentucky to Oregon, layoffs in California, layoffs across this country. And the judiciary finds it increasingly difficult to carry out its constitutional responsibility." Presentation to the Judicial Council on July 27, 2012 Audio, transcript