Judicial Reorganization

Everywhere I go in Vermont, whether to meet with bar members or not, there is talk about the reorganization of our judiciary. The Report of the Commission on Judicial Operation was recently cited as a partial answer to the impending budget crisis for the next legislative session. Don’t let this get by you! Read the report; ask questions if you have them; and then let your legislators know what you think can and should be done. I will try to get you answers on any questions you may have. Likewise, I am happy to pass on your comments to the Court if you’d like.
Remember that the charge to the Commission went way beyond saving $1 million as some are now saying. It began in May 2008 with the following:
Consolidation of staff, including clerks of courts, paid by the state within the judiciary budget and consolidation of staff functions, across courts in individual counties and statewide;
Regionalization of court administrative functions, both those now performed at the state level and those performed at the county level;
Use of technology, including video technology, to reduce unnecessary expenditures, including transport of prisoners, while improving access and maintaining the quality of adjudication;
Flexibility in use of resources to respond to the demands on the judiciary overall and particularly in instances where the amount and nature of demand changes;
Reallocation of jurisdiction between courts, consistent with effective and efficient operation; and
Any other idea for the efficient and effective delivery of judicial services.

We have heard our Chief Justice speak on numerous occasions about the effect the budget crisis has had and continues to have on the operation of our courts. I recently read something in the court’s October update from the court administrator that I’ve never seen before. The shortage of staff has prompted court employees to move around to help out in other courts outside the county.
Here is what I just read:

Cross Training and Job Sharing Successes
We want to express our thanks and kudos to the many case managers who have been regularly covering case manager conferences in other county courts to support staff shortages. Case managers have historically covered conferences in other courts as needed, even before JUDSLIST was implemented. With vacant positions and other staff shortages, they are pitching in more than ever. We are grateful to the following case managers for sharing the burden across county lines:

Karen Ackermann from Caledonia to Orleans and Washington
Margaret Crowley from Chittenden to Orleans
Beth Aiken from Washington to Orleans
Denise Gladding from Orange to Lamoille and Orleans
Charles Hacker from WRJ to Orleans
Cindy Mundell from Essex to Orleans

Kudos to Caledonia District, Family and Superior Court Staff
We wish to acknowledge Tammy Tyda, Deb Towle, and Bridget Sargent for the valuable
coverage they are providing to other courts, especially for Washington and Lamoille counties. Court manager Kathleen Pearl notes that being fully staffed with experienced, skilled individuals has made it possible to provide this kind of coverage consistently to other courts. Also, beginning in November, 2009, Essex County District Court arraignments and hearings will be held in the Caledonia District court, with the exception of jury draws and jury trials.

Seeing it spelled out like this somehow increases the urgency of needing to fix the system. I hope this helps in your understanding of this process.