Oregon lawmakers consider adding six new circuit court judges to meet growing demand

During a recent meeting of the Oregon Senate Committee on Judiciary, lawmakers discussed a significant proposal aimed at addressing the growing need for judicial resources in several counties. Senate Bill 95 seeks to add six new circuit court judges across Clackamas, Crook, Jefferson, Lane, Umatilla, and Douglas Counties, with the intention of improving the quality and timeliness of justice in areas experiencing a shortage of judicial capacity.

Chief Justice Megan Flynn emphasized the urgency of this request, highlighting that a 2017 workload study revealed a critical shortage of judges in Oregon's courts. Despite previous additions of judges, the study indicated a need for an additional 27 judges across 14 judicial districts to adequately handle the increasing caseloads and complexities of cases, particularly those involving behavioral health issues.

Judge Jay McAlpin from Lane County articulated the pressing need for two additional judges in his district, noting that the last allocation of judges occurred in 1983. He pointed out that Lane County's population has grown significantly since then, while the number of judges has remained stagnant. This has resulted in judges being overworked, with no room to manage increased demands, particularly in areas like eviction cases and treatment courts.

Douglas County's Judge Robert Johnson echoed these sentiments, stating that the current judicial resources are insufficient to meet the needs of a population exceeding 100,000. He reported that civil jury trials are currently scheduled seven months out, which severely hampers timely access to justice. Johnson highlighted the success of existing treatment courts, which have saved taxpayers millions, but noted that without additional judges, the court system's ability to expand these programs is severely limited.

Judge Annette Hillman, representing Jefferson and Crook Counties, also voiced her support for the bill, citing delays in case processing that often extend beyond statutory timelines. She explained that the lack of judicial resources has forced judges to prioritize urgent cases, sometimes at the expense of others, which undermines the fairness of the judicial process.

The committee's discussions underscored a shared concern among judges about the increasing demands on the court system and the need for legislative action to ensure that justice is administered effectively and without undue delay. The proposed bill, if passed, would not only enhance judicial capacity but also aim to bridge the existing justice gap in these communities, ultimately benefiting residents who rely on timely legal resolutions.

As the committee continues to deliberate on Senate Bill 95, the outcomes of this meeting could have lasting implications for the judicial landscape in Oregon, directly impacting the lives of many residents seeking justice.