Whittier Courthouse Closing June 3, A Month Early

 
Anyone thinking that looming courthouse closings are just budget-deadline brinksmanship might take a look at the L.A. County Superior Court in Whittier, where public access ends on June 3. Whittier Daily News is also citing Whittier City Manager Jeff Collier as saying that the “the city was hopeful until the governor released his revised budget May 14, which failed to push more money to the courts.”
 
Photo: SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb as part of Whittier Daily News coverage of Whittier Court closing

Photo credit: SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb as part of Whittier Daily News coverage of Whittier Court closing

“That, I think, was the last hope,” the city manager told the paper. That’s chilling news as many courthouse workers and courts supporters press their case for last-minute budget increases before a June 15 budget deadline. Lawmakers frequently miss the deadline, but it is still seen as a key milestone in final budget negotiations. Following the June 3 date, some staff will be at the Whittier courthouse, but the building will not be open for court business, according to Mary Hearn, director of public information for the Los Angeles Superior Court, who was quoted in the newspaper’s story.
 
How complex will it get? The Daily News lists the details: Whittier cases have been or will be transferred to courthouses in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Chatsworth, Norwalk, Bellflower and Downey, depending on the type of case and in some cases, depending on the person’s ZIP code. Traffic tickets issued by Whittier police will be heard in Bellflower. L.A. Sheriff’s Department and CHP tickets will be heard in Downey. Felonies will be heard in Norwalk, but only after the arraignment stage. Felonies filed by Whittier police will be arraigned in Bellflower, with sheriff’s and CHP cases in Downey. After arraignment they will be transferred to Norwalk for preliminary hearing and trial or the Early Disposition Program, or a plea bargain.
 
Simple enough. No way that’s going to confuse anyone’s day. Read the Whittier Daily News story, Final nails in Whittier courthouse’s coffin.