A $9 million supplemental appropriations bill submitted by local representatives to prevent the closure of several trial courts, including Wareham District Court, was approved by the state House of Representatives on Monday.

"The passage of this bill in the House today removes the argument that the proposed re-location and eventual closure of the Wareham District Court is needed, Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham), who along with Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett) co-sponsored the bill.  "It is my hope that the Court Relocation Committee will now focus on those courts where facilities are underused and consolidation would be more appropriate."

Wareham District Court is on a current list of potential courthouse closures published earlier this year by the administrative arm of the state court system.

Representatives Gifford and Straus have sought legislative alternatives to the closing, arguing that the court is vital to the law enforcement needs of southern Plymouth County.  They are supported by Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, who believes closing the court would place an "unfair burden on victims, witnesses, and law-abiding citizens who rely on this local court for justice.  Representatives Gifford and Straus have also submitted budget rider to the current state spending law that successfully delayed any action in closing courthouses without sufficient notice and advance warning.

"I firmly believe that based upon the caseload, dislocation of court employees, excessive disruption to the public that would result from closing the Wareham District Court, and the lack of any substantial savings from such a closure, it is now clear that the Wareham Court should remain open, said Straus, adding that he hoped the State Senate would quickly approve the measure to remove "any cloud hanging over the future of the Wareham Court."