MONEY FOR OUR COURTS

Courts were the first sign of emerging civilization. A way to solve conflict without violence.

If courts are not funded, and well funded, injustice happens.

I have been in courtrooms so crowded that a judge can only spend a few minutes per case.

I have been in courtrooms where the landlord was asked to translate for the debtor he was suing for payment.

I have been frustrated with the cryptic forms the overworked clerks use because they do not have time to properly record what happened in court. These mysterious forms are often the only evidence of a sentence to jail or probation.

We all talk to about the injustice toward minorities. Much of this injustice happens because the courts are woefully underfunded. Lack of translators means that people who do not speak complex English are not able to even understand the judge. Lack of public defenders means that people charged with a crime are unable to properly defend themselves.

I live in one of the richest states, in one of the richest countries. It is appalling that our court system is so underfunded that the clerks are not paid a decent wage.

It is nice that Jerry Brown is saving money for the future. However, I believe that the state should be adequately funding our court system so that we truly have "JUSTICE FOR ALL".

MAKE OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A TRUTHFUL STATEMENT.