House Oks New Judge For North Idaho

The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to give North Idaho a new judge.

“A new judge is desperately needed in the 1st District,” said Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden.

In fact, District 1 has not created a new judge’s position since 1980. In the past 10 years, civil cases in that region have increased by 53 percent and the number of criminal cases have increased by 85 percent. The district has been borrowing judges from other regions to help with heavy caseloads.

The House voted 67 to 1 in favor of adding the judge, who will hold court in Coeur d’Alene. If the governor signs the bill into law, North Idaho will receive the new judge on Jan. 1.