Kern County Superior Court REDUCTION PLAN
PRESS RELEASE: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF KERN
March 26, 2013. TERRY McNALLY, PIO (661)868-4957
Budget Cuts Require Service Reductions and Changes in Court Operations
Upcoming Changes — Notice per Government Code
The Superior Court, County of Kern, has realized significant, permanent budget reductions of $9.7 Million or 27% of base funding since 2008. While the Court has implemented a number of cost savings measures—reductions in staff, increased pass through of pension and health care benefits to court employees, reduction of controllable expenses in excess of $3 Million—the Court will have a structural deficit of $3.7 Million in the upcoming 2013-2014 budget year. In the past, the Court has been able to utilize savings from local cost cutting measures to balance the annual budget deficits to date. However, these savings are required to be depleted by the end of the fiscal year; therefore, permanent service reductions are required to balance the Court’s budget.
“The Kern Superior Court Judges believe court access is a fundamental component of fair and equitable justice and have approved these reductions reluctantly in the face of severe budget cuts over the past five years,” said Judge Colette M. Humphrey, Presiding Judge. “It is our hope that if future funding is restored to adequate levels, we can reinstate the services of the Court for those people that turn to us for justice.”
A. Reduction of Service Hours:
The Courts last service hour reduction occurred in 2009 with all court processing services closing at 4:00 PM. Given current court employee vacancy rates of 24% and the requirement to further reduce staffing by 20 to 25 additional positions in July 2013—the Court can no longer maintain current service levels. Effective June 10, 2013: All court service counters and telephone hours will be reduced to 3:00 PM Monday – Thursday and to Noon on Fridays. Courtrooms are not impacted by this change and will remain open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Note: The Court has installed drop boxes at all court locations. Documents placed in the drop box by 5:00 PM will be deemed filed on that date.
B. Kern River Regional Court Closure:
The Regional Court located in Lake Isabella, 7046 Lake Isabella Blvd, has been reduced to one court day per week. Budget reductions do not allow continued operation of this part time court location. Effective June 10, 2013: The Kern River Branch Court will be closed. As such, the cases currently heard in Kern River will be transferred as follows:
1) All misdemeanor matters, in-custody and out-of-custody, will be heard in the Ridgecrest Branch, located at 132 E. Coso Ave, Ridgecrest;
2) All Limited Civil matters up to $25,000, small claims, and unlawful detainer matters will be heard in the Ridgecrest Brach, located at 132 E. Coso Ave., Ridgecrest;
3) All traffic infractions will be heard at the Metropolitan Traffic Division, 3131 Arrow Street, Bakersfield.
Note: A drop box will not be available in Lake Isabella. Documents must be filed in the appropriate location for the specific case type.
C. Taft/Maricopa Regional Court Operations Reduction:
The Regional Court in Taft, 311 Lincoln Street, Taft, will be reduced to one court day per week. Maintaining service hours in Taft one day per week is designed to provide local litigants access to a court facility. Effective September 9, 2013: The operating hours for the Taft/Maricopa Regional Court will be reduced to one day per week.
1) All CHP traffic infractions will be transferred to the Arvin/Lamont Regional Court location, 12022 Main Street, Lamont;
2) All Felony filings will be filed and heard at the Arvin/Lamont Branch;
3) Misdemeanor filings will be heard at the Arvin/Lamont Branch;
4) Limited Civil, Small Claims and Taft City Traffic Infractions will be heard at the Taft Facility.
5) Court users may file documents at the Taft Regional Court facility when it is open, or at any other court location in Kern County during normal business hours.
Note: A drop box will be available at the Taft Regional Court Facility.
D. Court Reporters. Metropolitan Division:
The provision of court reporters for family law and unlimited civil matters will be terminated. Effective June 10, 2013: Court reporter services provided by the Court for family law matters and unlimited civil matters will be discontinued with the exception of contempts, domestic violence and abandonments. Per the Government Code, parties may provide their own court reporters for those hearings in which court provided reporting services are no longer available. A protocol for the use of contract reporters is under development and will be posted by June 1, 2013.
The following web page is available for those who want to comment on the aforementioned changes:
WMadmin@kern.courts.ca.gov
Click here for a direct link to the Kern County Superior Court “Website” page to stay up to date
As always, Attorney’s Certified Services is here to help you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call at (888) 514-5067, we’d love to help.
Sincerley,
Chad Barger, President
and the ACS Team