Legislators Hold Key in Judge Shortage (Daily Bulletin 052906) State Lawmakers have to act for hiring to begin..

Let's hope they don't hold on to that key to much longer!! We need these Judges in Chambers and in their courtrooms to hear Cases. The courts in San Bernardino are over Crowded and need some relief, so I hope the relief comes in the form of more Judges soon,

BSRancher

Legislators hold key in judge shortage State lawmakers have to act for hiring to begin By Edward Barrera, Staff Writer

Legislators hold the key to easing the chronic shortage of judges in the Inland Empire. San Bernardino County officials said that they need about 60 more judges, and Riverside County officials said they need nearly as many. The situation became so acute this year that Riverside County actually stopped hearing certain civil cases because of a backlog of criminal cases, which have strict time limits. The suspension was eventually lifted. So state legislation that would result in the hiring of 50 judges a year for the next three years is being closely watched. "We have a crying need for judgeships and court facilities,'' said San Bernardino County Presiding Judge Larry Allen. "No one disputes the need, but sometimes the Legislature seems to be distracted by other legislation. In meantime we struggle on with the judgeships we have now.'' Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set aside $5.5 million to start hiring 50 new judges with a condition that the Legislature pass the bill to enact the hiring. "We are still supporting the hiring of 50 new judges a year and the first installment is $5.5 million,'' said H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the Department of Finance. "We recognize the need, but the amount of judges and how they are allocated is a function of the Legislature.'' Last year, state Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, introduced SB 56, which will approve the hiring of 150 new judges with 42 allocated for San Bernardino and Riverside counties. He is now battling suggestions to cut that number for the first year to 20 judges. The hirings would begin in 2007 if the legislation is approved. "The Senate and Assembly are working on the budget, and their conclusion is that judgeships have a good chance for being funded this year,'' said Jim Evans, a spokesman for Dunn. While funding for the new judgeships appears promising, Allen said money for building new court facilities still is nonexistent. Early state bond proposals that included court construction were eventually dropped with the main focus now being infrastructure and building more schools and affordable housing. "It's unfortunate that there is no money in the bonds for facilities,'' Allen said. "We will probably get some leased space, but on a permanent basis, there will have to be some type of fee increase or separate bond.'' Dunn's legislation is expected to be nailed down by June 30 when a state budget needs to be approved. Edward Barrera can be reached by e-mail at edward.barrera@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9356.