Hon. Frank M. Tavelman
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Burbank Courthouse, Department A
300 East Olive
Burbank, California 91502
Dear Judge Tavelman:
We are writing in the hope that you may be in a position to consider the following recommendation. If this matter falls outside your authority, please feel free to disregard this letter or forward it to the appropriate individual.
For many years, Burbank residents and businesses had access to local small claims proceedings. That opportunity no longer exists, and parties must now travel to courthouses in other cities or attempt to navigate remote appearances. Although virtual proceedings can be highly convenient, they are not equally accessible to everyone, particularly individuals who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the required technology.
The judiciary serves an essential role in resolving disputes and providing meaningful access to legal redress. This is especially important in Burbank, which has a robust residential and business community. Most disputes are resolved privately, but when judicial intervention becomes necessary, residents and businesses should have reasonable local access to the court system.
Requiring Burbank litigants to leave the community to resolve relatively modest claims seems particularly incongruous given the city’s substantial economic importance within Los Angeles County. Based on our review, Burbank ranks among the county’s leading cities in aggregate property value and supports a significant concentration of businesses. These factors strongly suggest a continuing and compelling need for locally accessible small claims proceedings.
Accordingly, we respectfully recommend that the Court consider restoring small claims proceedings in Burbank, whether on a full-time, part-time, or periodic calendar. If judicial staffing presents a challenge, the Court might also consider expanding the use of qualified attorneys serving as temporary judges. We believe there would be considerable interest among members of the local legal community in supporting such an effort.
If financial or administrative limitations are an obstacle, we would be pleased to assist with community outreach, including an awareness campaign encouraging qualified attorneys to volunteer for temporary judicial service.
Restoring small claims proceedings in Burbank would improve access to justice, reduce unnecessary burdens on litigants, and better serve the needs of this important community. We respectfully ask that the Court give this recommendation serious consideration.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Yours sincerely,
The Burbank Republican Party