DRAFT

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Suite 501, 47 Trinity Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
August 25, 2009

Press Release

Today the Court of Appeals of Georgia announced that it would implement furloughs in order to handle the withholding from the budget of 5% and 3 furlough days as announced by the Governor.  Chief Judge Miller stated that furloughs were the only choice so the Court could keep its doors open and meet the Court’s constitutional obligations, particularly, after FY2009 during which the Court reduced its expenditures and reduced its workforce by 12 percent, eliminating 10 positions.

The legislative leadership has indicated to the state judiciary that the legislature will support the Governor’s requested cuts during the regular budget amendment process when the legislature meets in January, 2009.  Therefore, in order to ensure the Court can continue to operate until the end of the year, the Court is instituting furloughs for all employees at least until the end of FY2010.  The furloughs will be monthly beginning in September, 2009 and continue for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

Even with the furlough, the Court will have difficulty, keeping the Court open to the public for every furlough day.  The Clerk’s Office will stagger employee furloughs in order to remain open for parties, attorneys and the public to file documents and to research and review their cases.  Due to the staggered furloughs resulting in a skeleton staff on furlough days, parties and attorneys should be aware there may be some delay with document docketing and issuance of court actions.

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