Urgent Action Request: Reports on the Effects of Judicial Branch Budget Reductions on Legal
I am writing to request your immediate assistance in gathering information on how the reductions to the judicial branch budget have impacted you, your members and their clients, and members of the public who access trial court programs and services throughout the state.
We are in the process of developing the necessary information to convey to the legislative and executive branches the true nature of these impacts and the need to restore funding to the judicial branch budget. To be most effective, we must capture and share clear, meaningful examples of what these reductions mean in human terms and how access to justice has been compromised in California.
Specifically, we are asking that you immediately begin sending your observations and experiences—and those of your clients—as they occur to Donna Hershkowitz, assistant director of the AOC Office of Governmental Affairs by email at: donna.hershkowitz@jud.ca.gov<mailto:donna.hershkowitz@jud.ca.gov>. Donna will aggregate the information for use in statewide outreach and education efforts conducted by you, members of the judicial branch, and our justice system partners.
You might consider posting a message on your website similar to Ventura County Mexican American Bar Association’s: http://vcmaba.blogspot.com/2011/11/urgent-action-request.html
Your submission should include enough information to enable us to aggregate similar stories and present a picture of the cumulative effects on the public:
1. The trial court at which the incident you are describing occurred;
2. The type of case you or your client brought before the court;
3. The specific reduction in programs or services that impacted you or your client; and
4. The immediate, subsequent or residual effect that the reduction had on you or your client, and what that means in terms of access to and the delivery of justice.
5. Your contact information should we need to follow up with you on your submission.
Thank you for your urgent consideration of this request. Please contact Donna Hershkowitz in OGA at 916-323-3121 should you have any questions regarding the content we are seeking. We anticipate beginning statewide outreach activities immediately and will benefit greatly by having as much information as possible to share with decisionmakers. We look forward to hearing from you.
Carol
Carol Madeja
Director, Bar Relations Outreach
The State Bar of California
1149 S. Hill St., Floor 7
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Ph: 213-765-1329
Fax: 213-765-1705
email: carol.madeja@calbar.ca.gov
www.calbar.ca.gov/vbs
