HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/16/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.Q. RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS SUPPORTING
FULL FUNDING FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS TO
SERVE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
WHEREAS, Riverside County has 76 judicial officers.
WHEREAS, State Court figures, based on population and caseload, suggest Riverside
County needs 133 officers.
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Courts are required to dismiss felony and misdemeanor
cases because the Courts are unable to hear these matters in a timely manner,
unprecedented in any other part of our State.
WHEREAS, last minute trial assignments to any Court in the various geographical corners of
our County continue to cause a negative impact on victims who must travel over fifty (50)
miles to testify.
WHEREAS, last minute criminal trial assignments to any Court in the various geographical
corners of our County creates a reduction in law enforcement in each community, negatively
impacting the safety of our citizens.
WHEREAS, civil cases have been held up indefinitely, delaying timely adjudication for
years, as the Civil Courts have worked to address the criminal cases.
WHEREAS, citizens attempting to resolve civil disputes do not have full access to any
judicial forum in this County.
WHEREAS, the caseload in Riverside County is so high and the backlog of civil and criminal
cases is so substantial, the provision of additional short-term resources, as the State has
done since August 2007, does not adequately meet the County's needs.
WHEREAS, the citizens of Riverside County deserve appropriate and fair judicial resources.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. The City Council supports State and full funding for new judicial officers to
serve Riverside County, and urges Governor Schwarzenegger and Senators Denise
Ducheny and Bob Dutton to work to prioritize funding for these judicial positions.
ADOPTED this 16th day of April 2008.
David H. Ready, City Manager
ATTEST.-
James Thompson, City Clerk
ITEM NO.
Resolution No. _
Page 2
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution
No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Council of the City of Palm Springs on by the following
vote:
AYES:
NOES.
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
000002
ROD PACHECO
%. I' DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
April 1, 2008
City Manager David Ready
City of Patin Springs
3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
RE: Full Access to Our Courts
Dear City Manager Ready,
1, as District Attorney 1'or the County of Riverside write to ask you to support a resolution dratted
and signed by your City supporting our office's pursuit to achieve full funding for additional
judicial officers to serve Riverside County. I ask that you forwaM that resolution to me. 1 will
include it with my letter to State Senators Denise Ducheny and Bob Dutton, Chair and Vice-chair
of the Senate Budget Committee and with my letter to Governor Schwarzenegger.
Riverside County has seventy-six (76)judicial officers. State Court figures based on population
and caseload suggest our county needs one hundred and duly-three (133). The County was on
tract: to receive additional judicial officers but the funding allocations for 2007/2008 and
2008/2009 are at risk.
The lack of judicial resources creates problems that are clear:
• the Riverside County courts continue to dismiss felony and misdemeanor cases,
unprecedented in any other part of our state;
• last minute trial assignments to any court in the various geographical corners of our
county continue to cause a negative impact on victims who must travel over fifty (50)
miles to testi 1'y making them feel even more like a victim;
• last minute criminal trial assignments to any court in the various geographical corners
of our county create a reduction in law enforcement in each community negatively
impacting the safety of ctir citizens;
• civil cases have been almost completely stopped as the civil courts have worked to
address the criminal cases;
000003
4075 MAIN STREET • RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
951.955.5400
Full Access to Our Courts
Page 2
• citizens attempting to resolve civil disputes do not have full access to any judicial
forum in this county;
• the caseload in Riverside County is so high and the backlog of civil and criminal
cases is so substantial, it cannot be fixed by providing additional short-term resources
as the State has done since August, 2007.
Our County needs the support of the State in funding the additional positions allocated in the
State's budget of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. If i could receive your resolution of support by
May 5, 2008, I will include it as part of this effort on behalf of all of the citizens of Riverside
County. They deserve appropriate resources for their judicial system so criminals can be held
accountable, the innocent can be discharged, and civil disputes can be resolved. In spite of
economic times good or bad the foundation of law and order, and our very society, must be
maintained. I look forward to your considerable efforts.
Very truly yours,
ROD PACHECO
District Attorney
RP/Sr5/b1cc
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