News (Media Awareness Project) - US NC: Editorial: Justice For The Courts |
| Title: | US NC: Editorial: Justice For The Courts |
| Published On: | 2001-11-04 |
| Source: | News & Observer (NC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-31 14:26:41 |
JUSTICE FOR THE COURTS
Spending money to make money is its own reward. But the delayed gratification that comes with spending money to save money generates less enthusiasm. That makes last week's effort to spare a $5.9 million program in the state's court system from the budget ax all the more gratifying.
Few Tar Heels have ever heard about the 125 workers who help judges find ways to punish nonviolent criminals other than paying for their room and board in prison. More people are aware the state is in a financial bind, but they would rather not see their taxes raised another time. Automatically, that produced sympathy for Governor Easley's efforts to cut spending across the board instead. And the Administrative Office of the Courts was prepared to pull the plug on the Sentencing Services Program -- until it dawned on taxpayers that saving a few million now would cost them at least $22 million a year in prison expenses forever after. State leaders were right to stop such a nearsighted attempt at thrift.
Still, if this episode hasn't awakened the governor and General Assembly to the larger problem with court funding, the sirens need sounding. Administrators have been calmly pointing out that North Carolina is spending less of the state budget on the court system even though population and caseloads have ballooned. Lawmakers' nods of understanding haven't translated into more money.
The consequences have been similar to those we would have seen if the sentencing program had been cut. Courthouses that can't afford enough court reporters to record testimony must postpone trials when somebody calls in sick. Nevertheless, other court costs accumulate. Equipment needs have piled up in recent years, too. The latest assessment is that it will take $80 million to upgrade the court system's computers.
Yet the Constitution obligates North Carolina to provide a judicial system that safeguards the people's civil rights, in good times and bad. That can't happen when courthouses close to save money, or when nonviolent offenders receive automatic prison terms. It's time for this state to get serious about justice, and to pay the necessary bills.
Spending money to make money is its own reward. But the delayed gratification that comes with spending money to save money generates less enthusiasm. That makes last week's effort to spare a $5.9 million program in the state's court system from the budget ax all the more gratifying.
Few Tar Heels have ever heard about the 125 workers who help judges find ways to punish nonviolent criminals other than paying for their room and board in prison. More people are aware the state is in a financial bind, but they would rather not see their taxes raised another time. Automatically, that produced sympathy for Governor Easley's efforts to cut spending across the board instead. And the Administrative Office of the Courts was prepared to pull the plug on the Sentencing Services Program -- until it dawned on taxpayers that saving a few million now would cost them at least $22 million a year in prison expenses forever after. State leaders were right to stop such a nearsighted attempt at thrift.
Still, if this episode hasn't awakened the governor and General Assembly to the larger problem with court funding, the sirens need sounding. Administrators have been calmly pointing out that North Carolina is spending less of the state budget on the court system even though population and caseloads have ballooned. Lawmakers' nods of understanding haven't translated into more money.
The consequences have been similar to those we would have seen if the sentencing program had been cut. Courthouses that can't afford enough court reporters to record testimony must postpone trials when somebody calls in sick. Nevertheless, other court costs accumulate. Equipment needs have piled up in recent years, too. The latest assessment is that it will take $80 million to upgrade the court system's computers.
Yet the Constitution obligates North Carolina to provide a judicial system that safeguards the people's civil rights, in good times and bad. That can't happen when courthouses close to save money, or when nonviolent offenders receive automatic prison terms. It's time for this state to get serious about justice, and to pay the necessary bills.
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