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Courts too busy to cut in budget crunch

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 8:23 PM Monday, November 30, 2009

HAMILTON — Business is brisk despite the recession — in fact, largely because of it — in the Butler County judicial system, according to local court leaders.

And that makes it nearly impossible to make requested cuts to court budgets. That was the message judges and the county prosecutor gave commissioners in budget hearings Monday, Nov. 30.

Butler County Common Pleas Court has the largest court budget, and proposed maintaining it at nearly $5.4 million after cuts made earlier this year.

“I just don’t see how we can cut any more money,” Judge Michael Sage told commissioners, saying the cuts pared his budget down below 2004 levels.

The court handled 9,039 cases that year, compared to 11,400 so far this year, Sage said. Criminal cases alone have spiked from 3,092 in 2007 to 3,373 this year.

“I think it’s economy related,” Sage said.

County Prosecutor Robin Piper took a similar stance, saying he cut roughly $148,319 from his budget this year. Commissioners — staring at a projected $6.6 million deficit next year — asked Piper to cut more than $400,000 from his current $4.1 million budget.

But it can’t be done while meeting his statutory responsibilities, Piper argued, offering that his attorneys make less than those in surrounding jurisdictions.

Piper bolstered his argument with letters from the local Fraternal Order of Police, the Butler County Chiefs of Police Association, local police departments and other agencies warning against deep cuts.

“The increase in crime and the resulting perception of criminals having free rein in our communities will have a deleterious effect on property values, quality of life, and even the psyche of Butler County residents,” said a letter from Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John as president of the police chiefs association.

That letter also warned against cuts at the sheriff’s office and juvenile court.

And Piper presented a witness Monday.

“I’d hate for us to begin to suffer...successful prosecution-wise for lack of funds,” Oxford Police Chief Stephan Schwein told commissioners, saying his visit was unsolicited by Piper.

One of the few court agencies to make the requested cuts was county Clerk of Courts Cindy Carpenter. This, despite civil case filings — including domestic violence — being at an all-time high.

Carpenter, who is also a candidate for county commissioner, reduced her budget next year to just under $1.6 million, which is $62,466 more than she was asked to cut.

Submitted budgets from offices county-wide leave commissioners roughly $5.3 from their goal with less than a month left in the year.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.

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Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) already earn about half what they could if working in a law firm. As a result, they constantly look for other jobs. If slaries were reduced even further, you would end up with a lot of young, inexperienced APAs. And, salary freezes seriously de-motivate the more experienced APAs. They feel stuck because they have too many years toward OPERS to look for another job. Inexperienced or depressed APAs will lose trials and criminals will go free.

Former APA
3:37 PM, 12/1/2009

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I sat in the gallery for a 3 day trial in Common Pleas court. It opened at 8, parties were requested to be there at 8 but it was usually around 9:30 when the first action started. I'd say in total the actual court business only took up about 5-5 1/2 hrs. W-O-R-K an honest 8 (not counting lunch!). I do. More cases, less time, move 'em in, move 'em out. Slow as snails I tell you.

with my own 2 eyes
1:38 PM, 12/1/2009

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I’ve never heard anyone who really knows and understands the court suggest they have wasted money or over spent for the sake of spending. The courts don’t have toys like; take home vehicles, helicopters, tractors and trailers to haul more toys, and vehicles and equipment that are never used. We never hear of overpaid administrators, the hiring of family members or people being hired to do the same job some other departments are already doing. Cut the waste at the BCSO and BOE.

Jeff
9:01 AM, 12/1/2009

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Talk about criminals having free reign...look at the state of affairs in our Butler County politics at all levels.

greatly concerned
8:21 AM, 12/1/2009

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the comments I,ve read so far are a lot of goo from a couple of meat heads.

steve
8:00 AM, 12/1/2009

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