Opinion ID: 1831190
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The State of Florida's Third Branch of Government

Text: Florida's State Courts are nearing a historic crossroad in the months aheadone that will determine the health and stability of our courts for decades to come. This is a result of actions taken by our citizens. In 1998, the same year that the Legislature first asked us to use the Weighted Caseload System for trial-court certification, the voters of this state approved Revision 7 to the judicial article of the state Constitution. This revision shifts a greater portion of the costs of trial courts from county commission budgets to the state budget by next July 1. There is much at stake for the residents of Florida as we make this shift to unified state funding of the courts. The most significant challenge is to ensure that the Rule of Law is not compromised in Florida's communities, and, critically, that the level of services provided in Florida's twenty judicial circuits not be reduced on July 1, 2004. Observant and respected groups like the Florida Council of 100 have expressed concern that Florida's court system has been under-resourced. [6] As the Legislature assumes greater responsibility for the state's courts, legislative support in providing adequate judicial resources and operating costs is vital to maintain the existing high quality of justice we have provided, and indeed that our citizens expect and deserve. We are fortunate that the Legislature has a history over the last decade of providing many of the resources courts need. Under the federal system of government in the United States, our state courts are the primary vehicle for providing the Rule of Law to our people. As has often been noted, state courts account for well more than ninety-five percent of all judicial activity in the United States. State courts such as those in Florida protect democracy by upholding the law, ensuring individual rights and liberties, enforcing public order, and peacefully resolving disputes. Courts maintain public safety, settle costly business disputes, and protect our most vulnerable citizens. Of course, judges are crucial to the operation of this system. Their work helps our citizens and businesses resolve issues fairly and peaceably, in a way that promotes the well-being of all. This Court fully understands the competing funding priorities that confront the Legislature. However, we also recognize the significant need for adequate funding of Florida's Third Branch of government in the face of unprecedented growth in this, the nation's fourth largest state. Just as growth places increasing demands on other public services, it has a direct relationship to the need for additional judicial resources in Florida's communities. Backlogs of cases would become inevitable without enough judges to preside over and dispose of cases, and without sufficient operating costs and resources to support them. In sum, justice itself would be delayed. Preventing this from happening deserves some priority. Without adequate funding for judges and other essential elements, the effective and efficient operation of the Florida State Courts System will be jeopardized. If adequate resources are not provided, the courts would be required to shift resources from civil proceedings to criminal matters, thereby unavoidably delaying cases involving mortgage foreclosures, landlord-tenant matters, contract disputes, and other civil concerns that are essential to flourishing business operations and a prosperous economy in this state and to the well-being of its families. Courts in other states have suffered devastating cuts in recent years, and their experiences demonstrate that inadequate funding can gravely impair court operations. In New Hampshire, jury trials were suspended for two months in 2002 and for three months in 2003. In Colorado, courthouses were recently forced to close one week per month, and court proceedings in Oregon were suspended one day per week last year. It is critical that Florida avoid similar harm to its justice system, and the fact that we have avoided problems as serious as these is largely due to the Legislature's efforts. Florida's judiciary has long been regarded as one of the finest in the nation. In the years leading up to implementation of Revision 7, we have achieved this high level of service and national reputation only with the combined financial support of both the Legislature and Florida's counties. Yet, Florida's budget for the Third Branch has consistently been well less than one percent of the state's budget. In short, while bearing an enormous caseload, Florida's courts have provided a genuine bargain to the people of Florida. Our judiciary's continuing tradition of excellence will now depend on whether its current standards continue to be funded. We are confident the Legislature will continue to provide these resources.