Superior Court of California

4075 Main Street, Suite 310 — Riverside, CA 92501

Telephone 909-955-5536 — Fax 909-955-5537

February 28, 2003

Contact: Karen L. Van Patten, Court Administrative Analyst II

Superior Court of California, County of Riverside

909-955-5536

(electronic version available at www.co.riverside.ca.us/depts/courts/)

Riverside, CA - During one of the most difficult financial times in California’s history, Riverside County Superior Court remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that essential services continue to be provided. Nevertheless, the current budget situation coupled with the Governor’s proposed budget cuts for FY 2003-2004 will challenge the Riverside County Superior Court in the months to come. These difficult economic times have forced the court to make the tough decision to reduce its service hours in an effort to manage workload.

Effective Monday, March 24, 2003, the court will close its public service counters and refrain from answering the phones at all court locations at 4:00 P.M. each business day. This revised operation schedule will remain in effect until further notice.

The court is revising its operation schedule to mitigate delays in case processing due to dwindling staff and fiscal resources. This new schedule will not preclude the public or any justice agency from leaving their documents in a drop box after 4:00 P.M. in order to be filed that same day. This change will not limit access to functioning courtrooms and the court’s administrative offices. The court is dedicated to reinstating its standard hours of operation when the financial situation improves.

The court is committed to identifying cost-saving measures to limit the impact of the state’s severe financial crisis; the court looks to the public and its fellow justice agencies for support as it strives to find effective solutions in these challenging times.

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