38 Mass. Court Offices Adjust Hours

As of Monday, some state court offices are changing the way they do business because of budget cuts. More than three dozen court offices have had to cut back the hours they are open.

Clerks and Registers Offices in 38 courts will have readjusted hours, mostly in probate and family court offices and land court. Court administrators say they're making the changes because they've lost 15 percent of their staff since 2007. They say the readjusted hours will help reduce processing delays because staff will have uninterrupted time for administrative work.

But Massachusetts Bar Association President-Elect Robert Holloway said the move interferes with justice.

"It's important for everybody. If you don't have an adequately funded court system, you're going to end up having less justice," Holloway said.

Court officials say all offices will still handle emergencies, and court sessions will not be affected.

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