The budget battle for King County Superior Court is finally over. The actions of the King County Council not only averted the threat to close the Superior Court, which the state Constitution prohibits, but found sufficient funds to continue Drug Court and retain the essential Family Court Services.
But unless the county obtains some new revenue tools from Olympia in the 2009 legislative session, the budget for 2010 looks like déjà vu all over again as King County faces another $40 million projected deficit.
King County Superior Court wishes to express its appreciation for the efforts of the KCBA, Executive Director Andy Prazuch, President Dan Gandara and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Our court also wishes to give special recognition to a group of pro bono lawyers convened by Prazuch who wrote a convincing “White Paper” on the county’s constitutional obligation to fund the courts. This effort was spearheaded by Brad Keller and Joshua Selig of Byrnes and Keller LLP and also included attorneys Camden Hall, Terence Scanlan, Michael Subit, Tom Fain and Tim Blue.
There will be some pain in the 2009 budget, which you will all experience. Most ex parte orders will require payment of a $30 fee, electronic filing will become mandatory and new civil jury trials will not be commenced during the weeks of January 26 and February 23.
During the upcoming legislative session, we will be appreciative of any support KCBA can lend to increase county revenues that can help to pay for court operations.
Go Back