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| Court cuts in Davidson County delay justice |
| By Nicole Young • THE TENNESSEAN |
| Published: 03/14/2009 |
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Davidson County, TN - Even though police arrested a suspect within three days of the attack, Hunley and her family are still waiting for their day in court. The trial was scheduled for February but has been postponed until September, which will mark the two-year anniversary of the crime. Delays like Hunley's are not uncommon, and things could get worse. Dismal economic conditions are forcing the court system to cut expenses, which means possible salary reductions, layoffs and fewer jury trials. But taxpayers may not reap any savings because delaying a trial means the criminal defendants who are unable to make bail have to stay in jail longer. While the court system tries to save $10,000 for every jury week it eliminates, the sheriff is spending about $91,000 a day to house 1,483 defendants awaiting trial. There's frustration all around, and it's causing some people to make drastic decisions, said defense attorney Tommy Overton. "Sometimes they'll plead no contest or guilty to a charge because they figure they can get out of jail quicker than if they had to wait for trial," Overton said. "These are typically lower income people. But it is a reality that they will spend more time in jail waiting for a trial than if they just plead guilty. Our system shouldn't work this way.'' Savings don't pan out Davidson County trial courts reduced the number of jury weeks last year and plan to maintain that schedule to keep costs down, but more cuts are needed for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Mayor Karl Dean asked all Metro department heads to submit budget plans featuring 10 percent reductions.Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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