MinnLawyer Blog

The state’s judiciary has provided the following response to today’s recommendation by Gov. Tim Pawlenty that the budgets of the courts and the state’s public defender be cut by 5 percent:

We appreciate the difficult task that the Governor faces in allocating too few state resources. However, cuts at this level will mean significant reductions in service and even further delays in processing civil and criminal cases. We have said repeatedly that adequate funding of the justice system is not an option, but an obligation of state government. We will continue our discussions with the Legislature and the Governor with the goal of protecting the rights and safety of all Minnesotans.

– Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson