California Court Closures Set, Despite Grumbling

California's Judicial Council on Wednesday ordered the state's courthouses closed once a month starting Sept. 16, despite ongoing complaints from labor groups, sheriffs and some judges that the closures are unnecessary and potentially dangerous. "I hate it," said council member Richard Hoffman, a justice on the 4th District Court of Appeal. The third-Wednesday-each-month closures will save an estimated $85.3 million and are a key part of the judicial branch's overall plan to close a $393 million deficit.