Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
MBA showcases third in video series on court funding
Next YouTube post focuses on the lack of necessary resources in Probate & Family Court
The Massachusetts Bar Association has posted its third video as
part of its public awareness campaign on the negative effects of
underfunded courts. The third in the series focuses on the impact
of the underfunding crisis on the Probate and Family Court.
Video subjects shed light on the reality of inadequate funding and
resources. "Average citizens" who seek solutions to their legal
issue in Probate and Family Court are met with significant delays
in paperwork (affecting case processing and volume), child support
requests, custody changes and the processing of deceased family
members' estates, among others.
"The constraints that we have that we have to work under is making
us not be able to serve the public in the way that they would
expect us to," the Hon. Anthony Nesi of the Probate and Family
Court said.
Probate and Family Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey explains
that patrons of the Probate and Family Court "come because they
have to, and they usually come during their darkest
time."
This level of anxiety, combined with the stretched resources of
the court system, does not make for an optimal experience.
"Our citizenry interacts with the courts much more than they do
with the other two branches of government. If that falls apart,
then people are going to lose faith in our system," said UMass
Boston Political Science Chair Maurice Cunningham, PhD, JD, who is
also featured in this video.
View the video below or click here.
MBA members are encouraged to reach out to their legislators on
the need for adequate funding in the state's fiscal year 2013
budget. Members are asked to use information in the MBA video and the MBA's online
resources when reaching out to legislators. Members are also
encouraged to share the link to the video and online resources with
colleagues and acquaintances.