News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Partial Closure Ahead for Big Bear Court (Update 2)

Partial Closure Ahead for Big Bear Court (Update 2)

Over 100 Objections Fail To Sway Judge James McGuire

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Update 2 - Wednesday 3:50 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Presiding Judge James C. McGuire has announced that the reduction in the scope and hours of the Big Bear Superior Court will take effect September 8.

Over 100 written and e-mail objections were received by Judge McGuire before he made his decision to commence hearing cases only on the first full week of each month at Big Bear Superior Court.

Big Bear Superior Court is located at 477 Summit Boulevard in Big Bear Lake. (Photo by San Bernardino County Superior Court.)

In addition to the written protests, Big Bear Lake Mayor Rick Herrick and Director of Intergovernmental/Community Relations Cheri Haggerty met with Judge McGuire and expressed opposition to the reduction of services and requested modifications to the court's original plan.

Following that meeting, the plan was altered slightly to allow any matters, except criminal matters, which cannot be heard during the first full week of each month, including time-sensitive civil matters, to be heard in the Victorville District Court effective September 8.

The San Bernardino County Superior Court is located at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

All criminal matters presently heard in Big Bear, will be heard in the Central Court in San Bernardino.

The Big Bear court clerk's office will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the first full court week of each month. The office will be closed on court holidays and all other days not excepted above. A drop box will be provided for the daily filing of documents at teh Big bear facility on all court days during which the court is closed.

Update - Saturday 3:47 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Supervisor Neil Derry has notified Presiding Judge James C. McGuire that the reduction in the scope and hours of the Big Bear Superior Court, will be a burden to local residents.

Judge McGuire has proposed that effective September 8, the Big Bear Superior Court will only be open the first week of every month. A majority of the court's calendar will be transferred to Victorville.

Derry, who represents the third district, blames the state for the fiscal crises that is resulting in some courts facing drastic reductions in hours of service.

"The unintended consequences of these impacts," Derry stated, "will be significant for the people living in the mountain communities.

"While the Big Bear court doesn't do the volume of the other branches," Derry continued, "the inconvenience and burden placed upon the residents in this area will be incredibly disproportionate. I am very concerned that the reduction in the level of service might jeopardize the constitutional rights of our residents by placing them in situations where they are unable to adequately defend themselves in a court of law."

Derry's comments to Judge McGuire pointed out that local residents would miss more time at work to make the commute down the hill or the actual commute itself would cost mountain residents additional expenses. He also questioned what happens if a residents doesn't have transportation.

"Those who simply aren't practically able to transport themselves to court or able to incur the out of pocket expense may elect, out of necessity, to avoid appearing in court," Derry cautioned. "This will result in individuals becoming more ensnared in the justice system."

While Judge McGuire hasn't announced his final decision, the comment period ended last week.

Original Story

San Bernardino, CA - Presiding Judge James C. McGuire has announced a proposal to reduce the scope and hours of the Big Bear Superior Court, effective September 8.

In a prepared statement issued from his office, Judge McGuire intends to have Big Bear Court open the first full week of each month. The court would continue to handle all matters presently heard in the court with the exception of criminal matters and time-sensitive matters.

The hours of the Big Bear clerk's office would be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the first full week of each month, the media advisory stated.

If the proposal is adopted, as expected, filings will be accepted in the Big Bear Court each day during the aforementioned clerk's office hours, as well as by a drop box which will be provided during times the clerk's office is not open.

All criminal matters and time-sensitive matters will be heard in the Victorville District, located at 14455 Civic Drive in Victorville. That office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for court holidays.

A similar notice of intent has been announced for the Needles Superior Court.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

All public comments must be sent via e-mail to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court at bigbearcomments@courts.sbcunty.gov. They must be received by Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A similar reduction in hours led to the eventual closure of the Twin Peaks Superior Court. On July 12, 2004, Twin Peaks' criminal cases were transferred off the hill and the then court handled basically traffic and small claims issues. On October 2, 2006, the Twin Peaks facility was shuttered and remains vacant.

This article was first published on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 12:54 pm. This article has been viewed 1092 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.