Judiciary In Depth

Vol. 36, Number 4—April 2004

Judiciary In Depth

Do the Courts Face a Big Chill?
Courts Tightening Belts In FY 04 May See Hard Freeze In FY 05

There is a real possibility that judicial branch appropriations for fiscal year 2005 could be held to FY 2004 levels.

For FY 2004, the federal Judiciary's appropriations was just 4.7 percent over FY 2003, an amount insufficient to maintain staffing levels and, in many courts, even current services. The President's FY 2005 budget calls for only a one-half percent increase in discretionary spending.

Both the House and Senate have passed overall Budget Resolutions calling for a hard freeze in federal discretionary spending in FY 2005. In fact, Congress could impose a hard freeze for the Judiciary unintentionally if the political climate in this election year creates a budget impasse that results in a full-year continuing resolution at FY 2004 levels, which is a freeze in appropriations.

A hard freeze in appropriations for FY 2005 would have a devastating impact on the courts and their ability to serve the public. For FY 2004, many courts will fire and furlough employees, reduce supervision of felons released from prison, and reduce drug testing and drug aftercare. In these courts, litigants may wait longer to have their grievances addressed, and creditors and debtors may experience delays in the closing of bankruptcy cases. The following are just a few of the responses as courts face the financial impasse of FY 2004 and beyond.

East and Mid Atlantic

Southeast

Midwest and Great Lakes

Southwest

West and Northwest