The federal judiciary runs out of funding after Friday because of the shutdown of the federal government, which has now dragged on past the month mark as lawmakers and President Trump debate the fate of a potential border wall with Mexico.

If the funds are gone, the cases heard in the 10th Circuit federal courts in downtown Denver will be impacted.

Federal judges from across the country are warning government attorneys that a shutdown is not a sufficient excuse for delays in ongoing cases.

Defense attorney David Lane says he is representing a former federal prisoner in a civil case against prison guards and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. His client alleges he was assaulted while in a federal prison in Florence.

Last week, attorneys for the government requested an extension of time before a hearing in the case. “Counsel for the United States in this case has been placed on furlough status and thus ‘is not permitted to work,'” the U.S. Attorney wrote.

The judge granted the request but cautioned about any additional delays.

“If they start missing deadlines, then plaintiffs could start moving for default judgments against the government, because they’re failing to prosecute their case, they’re failing to appear in court,” said Lane.

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