I have had the honor to serve the indigent population of this county at the Clearlake courthouse for three years, from 2008 to the end of 2010.
It is with this experience that I urge the reconsideration of the decision to move the courthouse. The Clearlake courthouse should be kept open for a number of reasons. First, it is located close to the population of defendants with appearances.
Secondly, the transportation infrastructure in this county is limited. Thirdly, the defendants for the most part have limited financial means and this is demonstrated by the fact that for the most part the attorneys who work in that courtroom are appointed.
Of course the court can alleviate the problems associated with the relocation by providing dedicated transportation that is free; allow walk-ins to put their cases back on calendar and provide extensive educational outreach efforts to inform the population.
However, when I have suggested it to high-level staff I have been told that pulling the files would be too difficult, though many other counties have such walk-in courts.
I have never heard of a court subsidizing transportation. I know of no publication efforts.
In short, the cost savings that this relocation would create for the court would result in huge costs involving increased incarceration for people who fail to appear because of hardship.
This could also impact our jail population by increasing it for offenders. The impact would be similar to punishing the poor, because they could not afford the means to appear in a far off county courthouse in a county with a minimal transportation infrastructure that currently does not appear able to accommodate the numbers of people expected.
One may shrug shoulders over such a situation. After all, it can be said that the person had the power to comply and appear in court.
However, there are many horrible consequences when someone is arrested out of the blue. For example, dependent children are left abruptly without care; animals are left without care.
I have heard of tragic situations that occur when the heavy hand of the government is at work.
In addition, there is much inconvenience to professionals in having to file items in Clearlake.
This court has a policy not allowing filing in the Lakeport courthouse for Clearlake. To the extent that the changes require filings by attorneys, this would be an added inconvenience to the public this court is serving.
Anna Gregorian, Esq.
Lakeport
