Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Phil Picardi
St. Paul, Minn.

Minn. Chief Justice Magnuson disappointed in proposed judicial cuts

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Minnesota Chief Justice Eric Magnuson is sounding the alarm about court-system delays under Gov. Pawlenty's budget proposal.

Magnuson says the courts are already operating with lean budgets, and the governor's plan to trim nearly $15 million from the system would cause judicial headaches.

"I'm very disappointed with the proposal, particularly the cuts to public defenders and civil legal services," Magnuson said. "I've taken the position in the past several years that we've got a justice system and if all the parts aren't funded, it doesn't work very well. You can have all the judges you want, but if you don't have the lawyers in court to handle the cases, they won't go forward."

Magnuson said the governor's budget would force the Court system to jettison about 100 jobs.

"We're going to have to slow some things down. We may have to see increased closures of the public counters and courthouses," he said. "Many courts are closed half the day a week, and that's a terrible inconvenience for somebody who's got to take some time off work to go deal with a legal issue."

Magnuson says he's disappointed with the governor's proposal for cuts aimed at public defenders. In a report this week, the Legislative Auditor found Minnesota's public defenders already have nearly twice as many cases to deal with as national standards recommend.

(MPR reporter Tim Nelson contributed to this report.)