L.A. Superior Court Lays Off 329 Workers; More Still to Come

Los Angeles County Superior Court laid off 329 court employees Tuesday and more is to come. Judge Charles “Tim” McCoy, the presiding judge of L.A. County Superior Court, said as many as 500 employees will be terminated by the end of June due to California’s budget crisis and as many as 1,800 employees could be out of work over the next few years.

“Today is a sad day for the employees of this court and it is a dark day for justice in Los Angeles,” McCoy said, according to the Pasadena Star News.

L.A. County Superior Court is facing an $800 million budget shortfall, according to Courthouse News Services. As many as 50 courtrooms are expected to be closed by the end of the year. Even with that, the deficit is projected to increase over the next three years until 180 courtrooms and nine courthouses are closed in addition to the layoffs.

“What is happening today is a harbinger of what is to come,” McCoy said. “And it will bring a very real erosion of justice.”

To deal with the court’s budget shortfall, the state is considering using money that is currently tabbed for new courthouse construction and equipment. However, Courthouse News Service reports that plan has drawn criticism from labor unions who want the construction money to remain.