The state’s court system defended a plan to close two of its 32 circuit court locations as part of a 4% efficiency budget target, telling the Senate Finance Committee the closures were chosen after reviewing facility use and costs but acknowledging the decision would inconvenience some communities and could increase local law-enforcement burdens.

Aaron Cregan, general counsel for the court system, told senators that reducing costs to meet a 4% efficiency target required larger savings than could be found in rents and contracts alone. Cregan said, "On average, the courts process cases at a cost of about $900 each. We are lean and we are very personnel heavy ... In order to make that efficiency cut, we had to close 2 of the 32 locations where the circuit court appears." He said the system initially considered Candia and Claremont and ultimately settled on Austen and Hooksett after further feedback.

Why it matters: Senators said the planned Hooksett closure would directly affect two communities and the state police, potentially increasing officer travel time and overtime costs for smaller police departments. One senator asked the court system to provide a cost estimate for not closing Hooksett and for similar data on the other at-risk locations.

Committee discussion and requests: Senators pressed for a breakdown of costs and the likely effects on local police coverage; Cregan agreed to analyze both Hooksett and the other location and return with separate figures. The committee noted revenue projections from court fees that will offset some budget items; committee leadership placed item 6 on hold while awaiting the requested data.

Ending: The committee asked court staff to provide a detailed cost comparison — including impacts on local law enforcement and alternatives to closure — before the committee moves the item from hold.