Mass. Court Closings Put On Hold

Plans to temporarily close about a dozen district courts in Massachusetts to bridge the court system's $21 million budget deficit have been put on hold after other ways were found to save money.

The Court Relocation Committee in July released a list proposed closings to help close the shortfall. It prompted an outcry from local government and public safety officials who said closing courthouses would impede access to justice.

A spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Trial Courts tells The Telegram & Gazette of Worcester that other steps have been taken to close the budget gap, but court closings and consolidations are still on the table for the 2012 fiscal year.

The court system has saved money this year with a hiring freeze, employee furloughs, and voluntary retirement.