Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes wants some clarification on who has the power to hire, fire, authorize wage increases and evaluate the performance of employees working in the court system who are paid with county funds. He believes he has that authority, concerning bailiffs, security screeners, judicial state attorneys, and specialty court coordinators and trial court administrative assistants. But he hasn't been exercising it. That's because 1st District Court Judge John Mitchell signed an administrative order telling Hayes not to. "An administrative order is very strong, because you go to jail if you don't follow it," Hayes said Monday. On Friday, Hayes filed a lawsuit in 1st District Court seeking clarification through the court system. Mitchell declined to comment because of the pending lawsuit. Hayes filed a petition with the Idaho Supreme Court, regarding the same question, but the court dismissed his petition, court documents show/David Cole, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Does Hayes have much of a chance of winning this lawsuit?