Parts of the federal government shutdown on December 22nd as the result of a standoff between Democratic leaders in congress and the President. The issue is the funding of the wall and while President Trump says he will not sign off on a budget that does not include billions of dollars in funding for the wall, the Democrats say they will not sign off on a budget that includes funding for the wall.
Regardless of your opinion on the situation and who is right and wrong, you may be wondering how this government shutdown will impact various aspects of the federal government. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we can speak to the effect on the state courts: They are operating normally as they are under the governance of the state government. The same cannot be said of the federal courts.
The federal courts remain running but that could change
The federal court system has not yet shutdown for one important reason: They get funding from places other than the federal government. Notably, they get funds through court fees. However, these funds cannot cover the costs of the court forever. According to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, they can continue to run only through January 18.
The Office also states that they have only been able to stay working by using their own collection of funds and by delaying what they refer to as “non-mission critical” expenses. This would include things like travel that is not related directly to a case or hiring new employees. If the government continues to be shutdown, the court will eventually run out of money and will have to make decisions about cutting staff and spending.
What does this mean for someone with a case in front of a federal court?
If you have been charged with a federal crime, or believe that you may be, then you may wonder if this government shutdown could be good news for you. It is not likely to be the case. The Office also stated that all criminal cases are expected to continue moving forward without interruption and that prosecuting attorneys have been instructed to keep taking necessary steps for normal operation.
On the other hand, all civil cases against the federal government has been postponed. This may frustrate those with cases against the federal government but it surely shows the priority of the court.
Do not face a federal charge without an experienced attorney
While this may not mean your case is going to magically go away, there is good news: You have found a qualified criminal defense attorney with experience in federal court. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we are proud to offer exceptional services to each and every client. Call now at (949) 585-9055 to request your free consultation and to get the protection you need.