LA County Superior Courts Shut Courtrooms, Furlough Employees

Today, the Los Angeles County Superior Courts implemented a furlough plan required by the state budget. On the third Wednesday of each month, the courts will close most facilities and furlough workers.

Court officials opened just 43 of of its 600 courtrooms today, focusing on time-sensitive matters such as restraining orders, custody arraignments, and juvenile dependency cases. And 93% of the court’s 5,000 employees stayed home today.

The plan is designed to save $18 million over the next fiscal year. State courts overall are expected to save $102 million. Los Angeles began its furloughs this month despite the lack of a state-wide plan.