In federal courts around the nation, the wheels of justice may soon be grinding to a halt. The government shutdown has already caused delays and disruptions throughout the federal court system, and officials are bracing for things to get a lot worse next week. There is that huge uncertainty, and it will impact our clients' access to justice. - Julie Olson, assistant public defender The strain is apparent among lawyers walking in and out of Boston's Federal District Court. Passing in front of famous quotes carved in stone, espousing the importance of a smooth-running system of justice, many attorneys say that ideal is becoming more elusive each day the shutdown drags on. "There is that huge uncertainty, and it will impact our clients' access to justice," says Julie Olson, an assistant federal public defender on her way in to meet a client. Public defenders get paid by the courts and have been getting their paychecks, at least so far. But they are "watching every penny" and slashing
↧