Federal Judiciary Considers Closing 60 Remote Courtrooms to Save Money
The federal judiciary is considering closing 60 courtrooms in 29 states as part of a cost-cutting effort.
Most of the courtrooms are in buildings that house other federal agencies, and many are in remote areas, the Associated Press reports. The courtrooms do not have a permanent judge. Instead, visiting judges travel to the courtrooms to hear cases.
Federal courts spokesperson David Sellers told AP in an email that federal courts are “going through an aggressive cost containment effort” because the operating budget was essentially frozen for three years. Operating costs and rent for the 60 facilities amount to more than $16 million a year, the story says.
On the list are six sites in Arkansas; five each in Texas and Georgia; four each in Alabama and Tennessee; and three each in Alaska and North Carolina.
The closing list has been sent to the 13 circuit judicial councils, which are expected to comment by mid-April. The U.S. Judicial Conference is expected to decide whether to close any of the courtrooms at its September meeting.
Hat tip to How Appealing.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: ” ‘Financial Crisis’ May Require Federal Courts to Suspend Some Trials”
