Government initiatives to reform the criminal justice system have been attacked by magistrates for being made in the interests of cost, not justice.
The Magistrates Association has sent a dossier to Prime Minister Tony Blair detailing concerns over offenders being handed down "cheaper" punishments such as fixed penalties and cautions on financial grounds.
Magistrates also say court closures, staff shortages, crumbling buildings, out-of-date computers and funding cuts have left the justice system debilitated, The Times said.
Cindy Barnett, chairman of the Magistrates Association, said anger had spilled over about the cost-cutting effects of government initiatives.
She told The Times: "We accept that there are enormous pressures, from, for example, the legal aid budget and that funding can't be unlimited.
"But it is a basic necessity. Quality justice can only be provided by a properly-resourced court service.
"Lack of proper support now severely threatens and debilitates the delivery of a modern well-run service."
She also said magistrates had been told the courts' budget was to be cut in real terms by 3.5% each year for the next three years.
Ms Barnett has already attacked plans to extend the use of penalty notices for disorder, diverting cases from the courts, because it "will undermine people's confidence in the criminal justice system".
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the dossier sent to the PM showed "cut-price gimmicks" betrayed the victims of crime.
