March 3, 2010

Chief Justices Deliver Testimony to Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, Appeals Court Chief Justice Phillip Rapoza, and Trial Court Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan presented testimony Monday afternoon to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Fiscal Year 2011 funding for the Judicial Branch. The hearing, chaired by Senator Stephen M. Brewer and Representative James T. Welch, was held at the Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge.

Justice in the Balance: Budget Overview for the Massachusetts Judiciary, was provided to committee members as a valuable resource to assist their deliberations. The overview highlights the court system’s public impact and provides a perspective on court resources. Chief Justice Marshall and Chief Justice Mulligan referenced the report in their remarks.

Chief Justice Mulligan submitted written testimony to the committee but focused his remarks on specific examples compiled from letters, conversations and recent courthouse visits, on the range of challenging situations facing Judges, Clerks, Probation and court staff statewide as a result of the fiscal crisis. The Chief Justices emphasized that Trial Court staff at all levels is at a breaking point in terms of managing caseload and highly praised the commitment of Judicial Branch employees to deliver justice daily despite very stressful circumstances.

The Justice in the Balance overview and the filed testimony are available at the links below.

>>>  Chief Justice Marshall's Testimony

>>>  Chief Justice Rapoza's Testimony

>>>  Chief Justice Mulligan's Testimony

>>>  Justice in the Balance: Budget Overview for the Massachusetts Judiciary

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