THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

NEWS RELEASE

CONCORD—The Administrative Office of the Courts has calculated the net appropriation to the judicial branch for FY 2002 is $52,828, 382, or $148,155 more than the net appropriation for FY 2001, which is an increase of less than one percent.

The judicial branch net appropriation for FY 2003 is $53,187, 561 or $359,179 more than the net appropriation for FY 2002, which is also an increase of less than one percent.

Data first released last week by the Administrative Office of the Courts shows the Superior Court share of that appropriation increased by $263,972 or about two percent in FY 2002. The Superior Court share of the FY 2003 appropriation is expected to be approximately the same as in FY 2002. The Governor’s budget director Linda Hodgdon has reviewed these numbers.

Superior Court Chief Justice Walter L. Murphy, who last week announced that he had taken several measures to cut costs, including deferring some jury trials, said budget constraints present tough questions for every branch of state government.

"The courts recognize the fiscal situation in which the state finds itself. We take seriously our responsibility to conserve the financial resources made available to us while continuing every effort to insure that no one’s constitutional rights are jeopardized," Murphy said.

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For more detail on the Judicial Branch Budget, see the following 10/04/01 press releases:  

• Facts About the Judicial Branch Budget

• Judicial Branch Appropriation Summary