• After several consecutive years of budget cuts, the FY 2012-13 Judicial Branch operating budget was held at 2010-2011 levels, with a small increase to cover health insurance and pension obligations.  As a result, the FY12 Judicial Branch Budget is $274,075,000, up slightly from the FY2011 budget of $272,955,000.
• Judicial Branch priorities are detailed in the FY12-13 Judicial Branch Strategic Plan, which can be found at:   http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/0/Public/Judicial_Council/2012-13_Strategic_Plan.pdf
• Minnesota’s courts continue to operate shorthanded. Since FY08, the Judicial Branch has lost more than 250 positions and is operating 10% short-staffed and more than 13 judges short of need.
• District courts are operating with reduced hours – public service counters are closed up to a half day per week in many districts; filings of judicial vacancies are being delayed for a minimum of four months. The 2010-11 biennium saw staff layoffs, delayed filling of vacancies in clerks’ offices and in judicial support positions; and reduced use of retired judges to fill in for judges on vacation, medical or other leaves.
• The Judicial Branch implemented a voluntary separation program that led to the elimination of numerous staff positions; offered court staff voluntary leave without pay; and eliminated merit and cost of living increases. Judge and employee compensation have been frozen since the FY10-11 biennium. No compensation increases are anticipated for the FY12-13 biennium.
• As a result, case processing delays and backlogs are commonplace across the state. One out of four serious felonies now takes over a year to dispose. For 30% of abused children taken out of their home, it takes longer than one year before they have a chance for a permanent placement. In many counties it is taking as much as a month just to open a civil or family case. The Court of Appeals has dismissed three felony convictions for failure of the state and the district court to meet the speedy trial requirement.

Reports and Articles

• T. W. Budig. "Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Gildea Warns Against More Budget Cuts." ECM Publishers, Inc. March 2011.
• M. Mangino. "Minnesota Courts Feel Budget Crunch." Blog. December 11, 2010.
• R. Cunningham. "Our View: Diversion Programs Put Priorities in Order." Winona Daily News. January 5, 2011.
• C. Brucato. "Incoming GOP Chair of the State Judiciary Committee: 'We Are Near a Constitutional Crisis.'" MinnPost.com. December 15, 2010.
• Bob Kelleher.  "Northern Minn. Counties Worry About Losing Court Services."  MPR News.  November 29, 2010.

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