NCJ Number
79873
Journal
California Data Brief Volume: 2 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1978) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines past methods of financing California's court system and raises questions concerning the implications of new funding sources.
Abstract
Up to the present, the burden of financing California's courts has fallen mainly on county government. The counties are responsible for financing most of the operations of trial courts. The State government pays for the appellate courts, the judicial council, superior court judges' salaries, the judicial retirement fund, and other court functions. Historically, the burden of court finance carried by counties has risen sharply; it has increased 367 percent from 1965 to 1976. However, the State still only pays one-seventh of the court's cost. Other State governments provide a greater proportion of financial support to the courts than California. The question of who pays for the courts is of critical importance because budgetary control can mean organizational control. Because so much of the funding comes from local government, the ways county boards of supervisors use their discretion in setting budget guidelines for the court are of crucial importance in the overall administration of justice in California. Issues for further research are mentioned. One table, one figure, and endnotes are included.