- FAST FACTS:
- Council votes to slash City Court Judge's Budget
- Next day clerk says judge tells him she'll no longer be charging court costs
- Council members question whether judge has that authority
tom.powell@wreg.com
(MEMPHIS June 5, 2009 8:43 PM) -- A Memphis City Council Budget Committee voted to cut about $49,000 from the City Court Judges Division proposed budget Monday.
The next morning, City Court Clerk Thomas Long says he had a conversation with Judge Earnestine Dorse. He informed the budget committee Thursday about that conversation, telling members the judge told him she would no longer be collecting court costs starting in July.
Council Members wondered whether the timing was a coincidence.
City Court is where you're instructed to appear after you receive a traffic ticket. If you're found guilty, you're often required to pay a fine as well as court costs.
Clerk Long told the committee members the judge wanted them to be aware of her decision, because it would mean about a $1.5 to $2 million dollar reduction in revenue to the City Clerk's Office budget.
The news was met with immediate questions and concern from council members who asked the city attorney whether the judge had the authority to establish such a policy. The attorney said he'd have to do some research before he could provide the committee with an answer.
Councilman Jim Strickland told WREG he has known Judge Dorse for years, and would find it hard to believe she would make such a move as a matter of retaliation.
Stay with WREG News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this developing story.
