Changes Will Affect How Traffic Court Matters are Handled

Litigants in traffic cases will no longer be able to reach a Riverside County Superior Court clerk via telephone and will have limited opportunities to interact with court personnel prior to a hearing because of budget constraints, court officials said today.

"Due to several consecutive years of state budget reductions, the court is forced to reduce the services that it can provide to the public," Superior Court Executive Officer Sherri Carter said in a statement. "The court is automating many routine tasks through available computers, kiosks and telephones."

According to Carter, individuals contesting an alleged infraction and attempting to get answers to questions about how to proceed, will not be able to speak with court personnel via phone but will instead have to make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting at any of the following locations:

-- Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta

-- Banning Courthouse;

-- Blythe Courthouse;

-- Hemet Courthouse;

-- Larson Justice Center in Indio; and

-- Moreno Valley Court complex.

Appointments can be made at the following website: http://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/traffic/scheduleappt.shtml .

Carter noted that an appointment does not constitute a hearing or a deferral of obligations to pay bail or make an appearance.

"Same-day court appearances are no longer offered in any traffic court location," she said.

Carter reminded defendants that they can pay fines, request extensions or take care of most other routine traffic-related matter online at http://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/.

Last month, Riverside County Presiding Judge Mark Cope said the 2013-14 fiscal year would pose ongoing challenges for the entire court system, requiring layoffs and curtailing of operations.

"Because the restoration of funding is not sufficient to cover operational expenses, additional staff reductions affecting every division in the Riverside County Superior Court will still be necessary," Cope said in a statement. "This will involve positions in operations, management, administration, legal, human resources and information technology."

The state budget signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on June 27 returned $60 million of the roughly $500-plus-million gouged out of state court operations since 2008 as California wrestled with billions in red ink. According to Cope, the infusion translates to roughly $5.3 million more in the local court budget for fiscal 2013-14. However, aggregate budget cuts over the last five years total $20 million.

There were plans to completely shut down the Blythe and Temecula courthouses, but Superior Court officials backed off the idea and instead implemented an alternative plan that has slashed hours of operation at both locations.

Beginning Aug. 19, all traffic, small claims and limited civil matters will be heard at the Southwest Justice Center, 30755-D Auld Road in Murrieta instead of the Temecula Courthouse.

The Temecula Courthouse, 41002 County Center Drive, Suite 100, will remain open five days a week, but effective Aug. 26, it will begin hearing probate matters originating in the mid-county region.

Unlawful detainer matters currently being heard at the Southwest Justice Center will be moved to the Temecula Court.