May 11 update - In the next couple of weeks, both legislative chambers and the Governor will finish work on a difficult list of budget cuts and tax increases. A House version of the budget eliminates the $4 million in cuts for the judicial branch that Gov. Lynch sought, but the final outcome of budget is far from certain. The Bar Association encourages members to continue speaking to legislators on the importance of preserving funding for the courts.
The State Budget Crisis page provide links to recent news articles and information from the Judicial Branch.
 Remarks of Chief Justice John T. Broderick, Jr. at 2010 Annual Meeting
What's Your Story of Client Impact?
Without violating client confidences, can you provide examples of how court operations at current funding levels are affecting clients? Or provide your comments regarding proposed closings of court locations? Submit your comments now.
Attorneys' Comments
♦ System is completely broken, Manchester lawyer, March 2010
♦ Testimony of Mark Gearreald, Hampton Town Attorney
♦ Testimony of Margaret Kerouac, Family Law Section Chair
♦ Family Law Listserv responses, 2009
What You Can Do
Attorneys must act now to contact members of the Legislature; these citizen-legislators need to hear from you; they need to know that these cuts will break down the justice system.
And they need to hear from you now. The next few weeks will be a critical time.
A phone call is PERSONAL and will enable you to communicate your concerns.
While legislators are faced with tough decisions, we must act now to preserve New Hampshire’s justice system.
Talking Points on Potential Further Cuts to Judicial Branch
CRITICAL POINTS TO ADDRESS:
These cuts disproportionately impact the justice system.
The Judicial Branch is the smallest of the three branches; it accounts for 1.5 percent of the state budget, and yet is being targeted for 10 percent of these cuts.
The justice system is fundamental to the operation of our government.
Because it is VITAL to our society, the system is MANDATED in our state Constitution. The justice system, widely dispersed so as to be ACCESSIBLE to all citizens in their communities, is part of the day-to-day working of our government. These cuts may deny access to: families seeking protection from violence; law enforcement keeping citizens safe from wrongdoers; and businesses throughout our state depending on orderly dispute resolution.
Further cuts will be devastating.
The justice system will soon be feeling the effects of the $3.1 million in cost reductions mandated last fall, resulting in unpaid employee furloughs and the closing of courts for 19 days through this year and the next.
Further court closure days will cause insurmountable backlogs, further inefficiencies, and real damage to the lives of people who depend on the justice system for timely resolutions.
Chief Justice Broderick’s March 8 letter to the Governor details the current state of the courts. It contains useful factual information. See also Fast facts about the judicial branch.
Message from Chief Justice Broderick - April 20
Last Thursday a joint meeting of the House and Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on the effects an additional $4 million budget cut would mean on court operations and access to justice. These are very challenging times and the final results of budget discussions are still very much unknown.
On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I want to thank the Bar leadership, its membership and its incredible staff for all your efforts on behalf of the Judicial Branch in these perilous times. All of you realize the critical role the courts play in every day life and that access to justice is an essential promise of our State Constitution. My colleagues and I are very heartened by the Bar's assistance in helping us make the case not only to the Legislature but also to the public at large.
I have always been proud to be a member of the New Hampshire Bar but never more proud than I was last Thursday when many, many lawyers took time from very busy schedules to serve as a visible reminder that justice matters.
Again, many thanks.
John T. Broderick, Jr.
Chief Justice
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