State budget cuts mean reduced access to some Santa Barbara County Superior Court services around the upcoming holidays as employees face unpaid furloughs.
The clerks’ offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc will close early this week plus around Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The reduction in hours stems from critical court employees taking unpaid furlough days to stave off further reductions related to state budget cuts imposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature.
Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker lamented the need to trim time for people seeking to access court clerk services.
“The result is decreased access to justice during these limited time periods. We regret these actions, but they are necessary to address the draconian budget reductions imposed upon your local courts,” Parker said. “Without the selfless actions of Superior Court staff voluntarily taking unpaid days of leave, more serious and permanent cuts would have been implemented.”
The Santa Barbara County courts have 230 employees taking unpaid furloughs to avoid layoffs, Parker said.
Arraignment hearings, juvenile court operations, emergency protective orders and other constitutionally mandated services will continue to operate during the reduced hours.
The court clerks’ offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday this week for regularly scheduled holidays.
However, the offices will close at noon on Wednesday this week and from Dec. 23 through Dec. 31.
Jury operations and juvenile operations will remain open under normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., court officials said.
Across the state, the judicial branch saw a $97 million reduction under the Budget Act of 2024.
For Santa Barbara County, it amounted to $1.2 million in funding cuts this year and the possibility of more in 2025-26.
“The Santa Barbara Superior Court remains concerned about the public impact that recent budget cuts, and possible future budget cuts, have on access to justice,” Parker said, adding that the outlook also remains concerning. “Without a restoration of funding, any additional cuts will lead to further reductions in essential court services and delays.”
While state revenue projections for the coming year are higher, the budget does not appear to restore funding to the trial courts, instead increasing funding to other areas deemed a priority by state leaders.
Without adequate funding, those seeking justice will suffer delays and remain unsatisfied.
“A more judicious approach to allocating available resources is necessary to ensure access to justice to our most vulnerable populations. The doors to the courthouse do not unlock themselves,” Parker said. “Dedicated, hardworking, knowledgeable public servants with pride in their delivery provide court access to a population hungry for justice.”