Attempt to Save Marshal’s Office Suffers Setback

Los Angeles County judges hoping to preserve the marshal’s office suffered a setback Wednesday when an Orange County judge refused to grant an emergency order blocking the dismantling of the law enforcement agency.

The Los Angeles County Municipal Court Judges Assn. has sued the county Board of Supervisors over a planned merger of the marshal’s office with the Sheriff’s Department, scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

Arguing that they are a co-equal branch of government, the judges had challenged as unconstitutional the supervisors’ right to make decisions about court services.

But Orange County Superior Court Judge Donald Smallwood rejected that argument.

“The supervisors’ decision may be unfortunate, unwise, it may not result in the saving of any money . . . but given all of that, I’m not sure the court has any right to interfere,” Smallwood said.

The hearing was moved to Orange County because the case pits the Los Angeles County judges against the supervisors.

Another court hearing on the judges’ lawsuit is scheduled for Jan. 20.