government of the people by the elected officials and government buerocrats, for the elected officials and govenrment buerocrats (and special interest groups that give them money) Original Article Tempe justice courts moving to Chandler Move would save county money, bog down city courts by Emilia Arnold published on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 Tempe City Council is protesting the planned move of local county justice courts to Chandler, a move Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said would burden city courts and inconvenience ASU students. Misdemeanor cases cited by ASU police are handled at Tempe justice courts, but Maricopa County Superior Court is moving the facilities to downtown Chandler. "The county can move those courts just about anywhere they want to, but I just don't think it's right," said Councilman Hut Hutson. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors decided about a year ago to consolidate county justice courts to reduce costs. The courts will move from rented space to county-owned buildings, which will save the county an estimated $50 million over the next 10 years, said J.W. Brown, communications director for county court. Some services, such as orders of protection, can be requested through city or Maricopa County justice courts, Hallman said. With the justice court in Chandler, Tempe courts will have to handle a larger load of these cases, he added. The additional cases would be costly for Tempe, Hallman said. "The county is merely saving money at Tempe's expense," he said. At an Issue Review Session last week, the council authorized Hallman and Hutson to work on the issue until a conclusion is reached, according to city documents. The council also agreed to send a letter of protest to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, the chief judge of the Superior Court and the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Hutson said he and Hallman are trying to set up a meeting with the County Board of Supervisors to discuss the issue. Maricopa County court officials have said the decision has already been made. Chandler has finalized the donation of 1.6 acres of land and the groundbreaking was earlier this month, said Dave Bigos, a spokesman for Chandler. But Hutson said it isn't too late for Tempe to speak up. "[County officials] haven't gone far enough that they can't stop," Hutson said. "I never say never." Tempe city officials want to keep the two justice courts in Tempe so residents don't have to travel to Chandler to use court services. Justice courts serving Mesa and Gilbert will also be moved to Chandler because of the donation. Chandler offered the land so the complex would be near the Chandler Municipal Court and the police department, Bigos said. Reach the reporter at emilia.arnold@asu.edu