Union County Commissioners seek additional district court judge to reduce judicial bottlenecks

During the recent Board of County Commissioners meeting in Union County, North Carolina, a significant discussion emerged regarding the need for an additional district court judge. Commissioner Gary Saads initiated the conversation, highlighting concerns about bottlenecks in the judicial system that have been exacerbated by the county's growing population, which currently stands at approximately 240,000.

Commissioner Saads shared insights from a conversation with Judge Hux, the lead district court judge, who indicated that the current judicial workload formula, which determines the number of judges needed, is outdated, with the latest data available being from 2020. This has raised concerns about the adequacy of judicial resources in Union County compared to neighboring counties. For instance, Cabarrus County, with a smaller population, has six district court judges, while Gaston County has seven. In contrast, Union County currently has only five judges, resulting in a ratio of one judge for every 51,290 residents, the highest among surrounding counties.

The commissioners discussed the potential impact of adding a district court judge on expediting judicial processes and reducing the length of stay for individuals awaiting trial in the county jail. Commissioner Helms noted that an additional judge could significantly improve the efficiency of the judicial system, allowing cases to be processed more swiftly.

Concerns were also raised about the availability of courtroom space for an additional judge. County staff confirmed that there is an office available, and scheduling could be managed to accommodate the new position. However, the board acknowledged the need for further analysis, including the potential impact on the jail population and the judicial workload.

The commissioners agreed to draft a resolution requesting the North Carolina General Assembly to allocate funding for an additional district court judge. They also expressed interest in gathering more data, including the potential new judge-to-population ratio if a second judge were added.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the pressing need for judicial resources in Union County, reflecting broader issues of population growth and judicial efficiency. The board plans to revisit the topic with more detailed information and potentially move forward with a resolution to address the judicial needs of the community.