Dept. of Children and Family Services

Judge Ben Joseph informs us that Vermont spends less on its judiciary system than almost every state in the Union. Delays in the disposition of cases are causing lawyers all over Vermont to avoid the courts. Vermont judicial spending is less than 1% of the state budget. Governor Shumlin has tried to shrink the judicial system and caseloads impacting the most vulnerable children and adults are growing. Trial courts can't keep up with spousal abuse, stalking, and opiate related cases because of the shrinking judicial system.