The Ventura Superior Court plans to shut down nearly all of its operations and furlough its employees on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning Aug. 19.

Severe budget reductions this fiscal year have forced many courts across the state to close one day per month.

Legislation is pending that will authorize the closure of the entire judicial branch statewide on the third Wednesday of each month.

These closures are due to the reduction in funding for the California court system resulting from the present budget crisis.

The Ventura Superior Court alone faces a budget shortfall of more than $4 million for the coming fiscal year.

Unless the courtclosure legislation is passed on an emergency basis, Aug. 19 will not be an official court holiday and four courtrooms will be kept in operation to handle time sensitive and emergency matters.

At the Hall of Justice in Ventura, Courtroom 11 will remain open to conduct custody, felony and misdemeanor arraignments, and hear applications for temporary restraining orders.

Courtroom 13 will remain open to handle any last-day jury trials and preliminary hearings.

The outside payment windows will be open to accept payments only and not to set hearings.