State Budget Cuts Leading To "De Facto" Foreclosure Moratorium?

In Tallahasse, Florida, The Associated Press reports:

• Florida courts already are jammed with more criminal and foreclosure cases due to the sagging economy, but the backlog will get only worse if their budgets are cut again, judges told lawmakers Wednesday.

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• Courts have cut back on support personnel such as clerks, security and staff lawyers. Prosecutors and public defenders also are short-handed. Circuit Judge Belvin Perry of Orlando, chairman of the Trial Court Budget Commission, said that has resulted in backlogs for civil dockets as courts must give priority to criminal cases, particularly those involving violence. Criminal defendants also have the right to demand speedy trials, so judges must put aside other cases to do those first, Perry said.

• He said a [Governor-requested] 10 percent cut would mean that "all civil cases in the state of Florida would virtually be suspended."

For the story, see Judges: More Fla. budget cuts mean court backlogs.