Plymouth: State Senate President says court closings unavoidable

A top legislative leader is downplaying talk of passing an emergency spending bill to avoid anticipated court closings.

Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray said some courthouses have to be closed because their functions can be consolidated with other courts and they’re too expensive to keep open.

The Plymouth Democrat pointed to the Wareham District Court. She said there’s less of a need for the court since the opening of a new Plymouth Trial Court in 2007.

Murray’s comments came a day after the state’s top justices warned a budget signed by Gov. Deval Patrick could force them to consolidate or close about a dozen courts across Massachusetts, including the Wareham court.

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Roderick Ireland and Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert Mulligan warned the closings will strain the judicial system.