Legislation Could Give County Two More Judges But Commissioners Would Need To Find Money To Cover Additional Costs

Burdened with a growing caseload, Spokane County Superior Court officials are again asking lawmakers for more judges.

Thousands of criminal and civil cases are waiting to be heard. Court Administrator Dave Hardy says the load is growing mostly because of an increase in criminal cases.

The backlog of criminal cases grows by 160 a year.

Hardy said it is taking longer to deal with criminal cases than in the past, partly because prosecutors and defense attorneys are having to handle more of them. In 1993, the court needed an average of 4.1 hearings to deal with each criminal case. In 1996, it took an average of 7.6 hearings.

“We’re kind of spinning our wheels here to some degree,” Hardy said.

The office of the state Administrator for the Courts is recommending the county increase the number of Superior Court judges from 11 to 13. That would give the court 18 judicial officers, including five court commissioners.

Bills currently easing their way through the Legislature would allow for such expansion. But even if House Bill 1398 and Senate Bill 5288 pass, it is doubtful new judges would appear behind the bench anytime soon.

That’s because their starting dates would be set by Spokane County commissioners, who would have to find a way to pay most of the cost for the additions.

“That’s the key isn’t it?” said county commission Chairman John Roskelley. “It’s absolute zero (chance) for this year and they would really have to come down and show us some paperwork (to get another judge) next year.”

The bills don’t contain deadlines for the counties to implement the judges, meaning commissioners can put off the issue for as long as they want.

The state pays half of each Superior Court judge’s $99,015 yearly salary. The county expense for start-up costs, which include salaries and equipment for the judges and staff, would total $262,000 per judge for the first year and $225,000 per judge in subsequent years.

The county would also have to pay for new courtrooms. It hasn’t been determined how much that would cost, but Gary Fuher, the county’s director of special projects, said it costs at least $500,000 to remodel existing space into a courtroom.

The county added an 11th Superior Court judge last year, moving quickly after the Legislature authorized the addition during the short session. That was the first judge added to the Spokane bench since 1979.

Superior Court Judge Michael Donohue said the other components of the criminal justice system in Spokane are adequately financed and the courts should be a top priority. Donohue believes two new judges could be affordable immediately, but realizes he might have to wait.

“We need it now, but we’ll take whatever help we can get when we can get it,” Donohue said.

SB5288 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, while HB1398 is awaiting a House floor vote.

, DataTimes