Robin's Ruminations

That is a very good question.  I was in a good sized round table discussion the other day when it was raised.  The word is that the court systems in our state have only felt the first wave of budgetary cutbacks and a second wave is close around the corner.  There is rumor, and I emphasize the word "rumor", that in at least one county in Washington the Superior Court judges have informed the county commissioners that they either fund the courts in that county or they'll be thrown in jail for contempt.  Such a threat, if true, is not made lightly.

I bring this up because of the serious impact it might have on process servers and other legal support industries such as private investigators and legal messengers.

Suppose, for the sake of argument, the rumors are true.  Suppose the reductions are so great that only the criminal courts can be staffed.  Would collection cases go unfiled?  What about personal injury cases with close statutes of limitations?  And unlawful detainer actions?  Divorces?  And on and on?  The impact on process servers and related businesses will be hard and deep.  

The reason we have courts is because we attempt to live in a civilized society.  Instead of collecting debts by bashing in the debtor's skull or making him a slave (check your history) we take him to court and use the power of the state to collect what is due.  Imagine landlords who can't have delinquent renters removed by the sheriff because there is no court to issue the order.  And domestic situations, I don't even want to think about it.

I don't normally like to mention rumors but the sources of the information are so reliable I believe them.  If I can find a moment I'll do some fact checking.  You might consider doing the same.

Comments (0)
Robin Mullins September 23rd, 2009 09:47:16 PM

 Comments No Comments Found

 Add a Comment

Subject:     Name: E-mail: Web Site:   Comment:  (No HTML - Links will be converted if prefixed http://)   Remember Me?