Note: Trial court presiding judges participated in a brainstorming session during the PJ Conference held in Yakima on March 2, 2003 and were asked to identify their most difficult court funding challenges. The following problems were reported by presiding judges to be some of their most troubling:

• Encroachments on the independence of the court, with particular reference to court performance audits being conducted by the executive or legislative branch of local government, rather than the judicial branch

• Inadequate funds to reimburse jurors and interpreters

• Inadequate and cramped facilities

• Program budget cuts that reach into the core mission of the courts - determining what court programs can be cut with the least negative impact on the court and the public.

• Risk/Liability associated with errors made as a result of the court's inability to perform core functions

• Apprehension that additional tax reduction initiatives will result in more budget reductions for the court

• Inadequate court security - fears about safety for the public and court staff

• Inadequate indigent defense and associated delays that clog already crowded court calendars

• Lack of adequate counsel in civil cases, e.g. juvenile dependency

• The cost of jail time for cases that require mandatory incarceration, e.g. dui. The tension between sentencing independence and the reality of financial constraints

• Inadequate funds for expert witnesses, court ordered evaluations, and other court ordered services

• Diminished public access - court hours cut, counter-staff limited, telephone lines unanswered

• Cases and infraction tickets dismissed as the caseload demands grow beyond the ability of courts to handle.