Closure signs plastered on the doors of several courts in Fresno County's smaller cities. Some buildings are already up for lease.
It's a sign of the times that many people are not prepared for.
" Yes, it was a surprise. I didn't know it was going to be closed," Lydia Landeros said.
Lydia Landeros is just one of many folks now forced to drive the extra miles to the Downtown Fresno court since the one close to her house is no longer in service.
"I'm going to try today to go to Fresno," said Landeros.
Those who will have to make the trip to downtown Fresno can expect foot traffic to be heavier than usual in court.
" There may be some glitches as we get started like where cases are and which department," Gary Hoff, Presiding Judge said.
Some cities like Coalinga will have to come up with extra money to pay for the transportation to downtown Fresno, but some say that's a small price to pay compared to the budget deficit the state is facing.
" I don't disagree that this is going to be a lot of inconvenience, but operationally we couldn't continue to work on those outlying branch courts," said Hoff.
