Bill Provides For District Judge

A new District Court judge would take office in Kootenai County in January of 1998, under legislation that unanimously passed the state Senate on Thursday.

North Idaho’s District Court is so overwhelmed that the need for the additional judge is “critical,” said Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum.

The last time a District Court judge was added in North Idaho was in 1980, Boatright told the Senate. Just in the past 10 years, the number of cases filed has gone up 53 percent and the criminal caseload has increased by 85 percent, he said.

Sen. Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene, offered his first-ever debate on the Senate floor in favor of the bill.

“The Supreme Court … has endorsed this wholeheartedly,” Riggs said.

Sen. Stan Hawkins, R-Ucon, expressed amazement that a letter supporting the new judge was signed by new Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin, the longtime anti-tax crusader. After ascertaining that the signature wasn’t a forgery, Hawkins said, he learned that not only did Rankin and the other commissioners support the new judge, they plan to find the money to build the necessary courtroom.

“If Mr. Rankin thinks we need it, it must be needed,” Hawkins said to laughter.

The vote was 35-0. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

, DataTimes