Senate backs more judges

BOISE – Relief could soon be on the way for the five North Idaho district judges charged with hearing cases from one of the state’s most rapidly growing areas.

The Senate unanimously approved SB 1407 Friday, which would add another judge to the 1st and 3rd judicial districts in light of a workload that keeps judges busy “day and night,” said Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, a co-sponsor.

“This is extraordinarily good news,” said 1st District Judge Charles Hosack. The Supreme Court had made the additional judgeships one of its top legislative priorities.

The number of cases filed in Kootenai County, excluding appeals, jumped nearly 73 percent in the past decade. Cases went from 2,200 in 1995 to nearly 3,800 in 2004, according to Kootenai County Trial Court Administrator Karlene Behringer.

The last time a new judgeship was created in the 1st District was in 1997.

Judges deal with the growing caseload as best they can, but “there comes a point when unacceptable delays become inevitable,” said bill co-sponsor Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, whose husband is a federal judge.

Behringer agreed. “When you have more cases filed, things do take longer to attend to,” she said. “It would certainly help alleviate the heavy caseloads having another judge on board.”

SB 1407 includes a fiscal impact of $380,000 from general funds for salary and benefits for the two judge positions and for two court reporters.

Jorgenson said the bill is especially necessary because the Legislature has been increasing penalties for crimes and looking to treatment facilities as a way to reform criminals.

“Unless we provide some relief for these judges, those things are going to evaporate,” Jorgenson said.

Hosack agreed that legislation plays a big role in the increased caseload.

“I’m glad to hear they’re recognizing that,” Hosack said.

The bill now goes to the House.