Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Underfunded State Courts
Listen to this NPR story about how state courts are trying to provide constitutionally mandated services in the face of significant budget cuts. While all branches of state government are feeling the economic pinch, state courts are hit particularly hard because the volume of litigation tends to increase during economic downturns.--Counseller
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/civpro/2008/04/underfunded-sta.html
Has anyone thought about a class-action suit claiming the the courts are underfunded to the point of failing their Constitutional obligations? It seems to me that if the different school districts can sue the state arguing that funding obligations are not being met it a way that denies constitutional obligations, that the same could be done for the state judiciary. If the state fails to adequately fund courts, citizens are being denied their right to have their cases heard, or heard in a timely manner. I doubt things will come to that, but I wonder if it's even an option?
Posted by: Bell | Apr 2, 2008 12:01:34 PM