San Francisco- California judicial leaders, responding to budget slashing by state lawmakers, voted Friday to approve cutbacks that will close some courthouses, reduce court hours, and delay civil trials, custody decisions and divorces in some counties.

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, presiding over the meeting of top judicial policy makers, told the packed auditorium that the courts were in an "unprecedented crisis" and warned that no program would be spared scrutiny.

The Judicial Council, the court's governing body, which consists primarily of judges and court officials appointed by the chief justice, approved cuts of $350 million from a statewide court budget of $1.5 billion. Council members listened without comment while a parade of judges and court employees pleaded for more money and warned that democracy itself was in danger.

Among the most imperiled courts are San Francisco and San Joaquin County Superior Courts.

Filed Under : Corrections & Criminal Justice