With the federal budget reaching a ‘fiscal cliff,’ six southern Federal Courts would close under a plan being reported by the Associated Press—including the Federal Court in Wilkesboro.  And Chief Judge David Sentelle of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said Federal civil jury trials in the United States  would probably grind to a halt if Congress fails to reach a budget deal, triggering $600 billion in automatic spending cuts next year. Sentelle told the AP that Civil jury trials would probably have to be suspended due to a lack of funding, but civil trials before judges without juries probably could continue. The six courts were chosen from among 60 courthouses in 29 states, and would close over the next few years.  There are 674 federal courthouses around the country.