“The whole process is slowed down,” Johnson said. “There’s one person up there, and he or she is overwhelmed. They don’t resolve as many cases. It clogs the calendar all the more.”

More cuts could be coming throughout the judicial system. The Minnesota Judicial Council, which oversees the operation of the state’s court system, is predicting the system will become more bogged down if a request for $54 million in additional funding for 2010-11 isn’t filled.

It’s a tall request when legislators will be facing major cuts due to a state budget shortfall that had been estimated at nearly $1 billion. That was before a sharp downturn in the national economy, which could push that number higher.

Cornish, who is a member of the House Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee that recommended the public defender cuts, said he stands by his decision. He estimated the state shortfall has reached $2 billion.

“I haven’t changed my mind at all, but what it did is probably make me think for the future,” he said.

John Branstad, the Democrat challenging Cornish for his House seat, also said finding a funding solution will be difficult.

“Cuts aren’t made without repercussions,” he said. “It is going to be a very challenging environment. When you have limited pie, any increase or decrease for one piece has an impact on another piece.”

Despite budgeting challenges, the court system should be a funding priority, Jass said.

“We are now at a crucial point in the funding of public defense and the courts, which are basic systems of government,” she said. “Constitutional rights, access to justice and the functioning of a fair criminal justice system are all threatened by a lack of adequate funding.”