TRUMBULL COUNTY Court papers go undelivered

Layoffs have hit the deputies who deliver court papers.
By STEPHEN SIFFand PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Subpoenas, criminal indictments and other court documents that have to be delivered in person have been piling up in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas because there is no one to deliver them, county officials say.
"It has been a huge problem," said Sheriff Thomas Altiere, whose department is responsible for serving papers.
"We just don't have anybody to do the papers. They have been piling up."
Layoffs
The sheriff's department has laid off 47 employees since countywide budget cuts were announced earlier this year.
With the layoffs, the number of deputies assigned to deliver papers and escort prisoners has been reduced from eight to 10 each day to five "on a good day," Altiere said.
As a result, there were 60 subpoenas sitting on a desk, waiting to be delivered as of Wednesday afternoon. The backlog was expected to increase with the new crop of criminal indictments.
The sheriff noted the grand jury reported Wednesday, which means more than 20 additional court papers will have to be served. The sheriff didn't know when all the papers would be delivered.
"It is frustrating, but what are you going to do," said Judge Peter Kontos of common pleas court.
Court officials noted that lawyers may begin using private process-server companies to make sure legal documents are served on time.
Staff reduction at the sheriff's department also has prompted the closure of one floor of the jail.
Offenders turned away
Subsequently, nonviolent offenders are frequently being turned away and told to report for incarceration at another time, said Warren Municipal Court judge Thomas Gysegem.
Often, when they return they are turned away again, he said.
"Isn't this shocking at a new, $26 million building," Gysegem said.
Inmates are being turned away because there is no room, the sheriff said.
"I know it's a problem," Altiere said. "I knew it was going to be a problem when we found out about the layoffs. And, I know that it is a problem that won't be going away anytime soon. Summer is coming and it looks like it will only get worse."
Incarcerations normally increase in the summer months, officials said.
siff@vindy.comsinkovich@vindy.com