‘Traffic Jam’

I read your editorial “The Other Traffic Jam” (Aug. 5) and thoroughly agree with your conclusion that neglecting the courts makes no sense and that if the courts are going to be in a position to provide the public with more prompt and efficient justice in criminal and civil matters, it’s going to cost more money than has been appropriated to the judicial system in the past.

If the State Trial Court Funding Act is fully funded for the 1988-89 fiscal year, as much as $135.3 million in additional funds could be made available to Los Angeles County for trial court operations. However, the approval of the Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Superior Court judges and the Los Angeles Municipal Court judges must be obtained before it can take effect.

It’s the expectation of the Los Angeles Superior Court that if this new money is received, that additional funds will be made available to the court to improve the level of judicial services available to the public, by providing additional courtrooms, judicial officers, supporting staff, equipment and security.

The Superior Court has been working with one hand tied behind its back for a long time. Hopefully, this situation will change for the better with the approval of state trial court funding.

RICHARD P. BYRNE

Presiding Judge

Superior Court

Los Angeles