Sequestration impacts on county court not yet known
Official says they are monitoring situation
SAN BERNARDINO• The San Bernardino County Superior Court, already lacking in state funding, could see even less under federal sequestration cuts that went into effect Friday.
Justice Assistance Grants, which support prosecution and courts, corrections, drug treatment, crime victims, witness initiatives and more will lose about $1.6 million statewide this year alone with the cuts, according to the White House.
Stephen Nash, the county court’s executive officer, explained that the court is carefully watching the situation.
“We’re not aware at this point of any direct impact,” he said, “but we are monitoring it. I’m sure there will be implications.”
He mentioned the county court does have federally-funded programs.
When it was announced that the Barstow Courthouse would close in December, the county court cited projections of a deficit of around $13 million this year and approximately $22 million less in state funding than what was received last year.
The Victorville Courthouse will absorb more cases when Barstow courts close in May.
Shea Johnson may be reached at (760) 256-4126 or at SJohnson@DesertDispatch.com.
