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Hump Day for Some County Court Employees Means Getting Screwed
Photo by Jon Haynes Photography via Flickr
Several Los Angeles County Superior Court employees get to take today off without pay as part of a furlough plan that begins this week and is slated to run for the next year as part of a cost-cutting measure, according to abc7.com. The third Wednesday of the month will now find dozens of courtrooms in the system at a standstill, with the hopes of staving off "permanent court closures and layoffs."But while today's furlough day "is expected to save $18 million," it means that many cases will be delayed in the massive system. "The L.A. County Superior Court is the nation's largest trial court system. On any given day, 100,000 people go in and out of the 600 courtrooms in 50 courthouses throughout the county."
Some services will remain available, but in limited capacity on these furlough days. One courtroom will remain open to address "custody arraignments, felony bench warrants and other limited business," including "requests for restraining orders for threats of domestic violence, elder abuse or civil harassment involving stalking or potential violence." Jurors are not required to report today, and while "County clerks' offices will be open and will offer limited services, including filing of paper work and acceptance of fines and fees," they are not offering any extensions on filing deadlines.
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