Criminal Justice System In Turmoil

Budget cuts are throwing the criminal justice system into turmoil. Some federal defender offices have laid people off. Others are planning furloughs as long as six weeks. The courts pay for federal defenders out of a much smaller budget than the Justice Department's. That's why prosecutors seem to get a better shake. They may be furloughed for just two weeks. What's more, the courts are limited in how they can tackle sequestration. The law prohibits them from adjusting judges' salaries.