Los Angeles County Superior Court offers $35,000 buyout to staff amid budget deficit

The Los Angeles County Superior Court has launched a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program to address significant budgetary constraints. Under the program, full-time employees with at least five years of continuous service can opt to resign in exchange for a one-time $35,000 payment. To ensure long-term savings, vacated positions will be eliminated rather than refilled.

Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II stated that operational costs are outpacing budget resources. The court faces a projected shortfall, with some reports indicating a $9.1 million gap for the current fiscal year and a broader deficit of approximately $88 million due to state inflationary funding failing to meet actual needs. The court also noted a $233.7 million funding gap required to manage its 1.3 million annual filings based on Judicial Council of California metrics.

The court warned that these staffing reductions and operational cuts may lead to reduced or delayed services, including longer wait times at service windows, slower call center responses, and delays in legal document processing. The program aims to stabilize the budget and prevent potential layoffs or furloughs in the 2026–2027 fiscal year.