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Consolidated court reports rising caseload, seeks training and audits for compliance
Summary
Judge Paris Candola reported an increase in cases (criminal and civil) and said court staff will pursue additional continuing education, a voluntary fingerprint compliance audit and staffing/ calendar adjustments to manage higher volumes.
Judge Paris Candola reported that the consolidated municipal court (joint IGA with Cave Creek) has seen a rise in caseload and that staff are working to ensure compliance with reporting and fingerprinting requirements while maintaining customer service standards.
The issue matters because increased caseloads affect court calendars and may require additional court dates or staffing adjustments; staff also face new statutory requirements that increase administrative workload, such as expanded fingerprinting (10‑print) obligations introduced in 2023.
Candola introduced Court Administrator Andrea Mercer and Deputy Clerk Donette Plant, noting staff changes over the prior year and the importance of training. She said the court must remain current on administrative and legislative changes, and she described a voluntary audit opportunity through the Arizona Department of Public Safety for fingerprint compliance that staff intend to pursue. Candola also said the court may need an additional court day for prosecutorial appearances because the criminal calendar has become congested; the increase in warrant arrests and traffic cases is one driver of the added workload.
No formal changes to the court’s operating hours or budget were adopted at the workshop; staff and council discussed continuing education and process audits as near‑term priorities to manage compliance and calendar pressure.
