By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – State court officials say Alabama's budget problems may have a serious impact on the court system by the end of next month. They say up to 500 of the system's 16-hundred employees could be laid off by November 28th. Administrative Office of Courts spokesperson David Williams says all bailiffs statewide and the entire staffs in court administrator offices could be cut. If that happens, one court administrator would stay in each office to make sure jury trials are maintained and summonses are distributed. Bailiffs also would lose their jobs, but Presiding Jefferson County Circuit Criminal Judge Mike McCormick says courts can't function without them. Court officials say they were told last months bailiffs could be laid off, but Judge McCormick says no official notice has come from Montgomery.