Idaho judges tell Senate committee recruitment is down, ask Legislature to consider more judges for growing districts

Boise — Three administrative district judges told the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee that Idaho courts are seeing fewer applicants for vacancies, judges are leaving the bench earlier than in the past, and population-driven caseload growth is creating pressure that the judges said warrants new judicial posts.

The judges appeared at the committee’s request and each described a mix of recruitment, retention and capacity problems. "We want the best and the brightest in all seats on the bench throughout the state," said District Judge Rick Carnaroli of the Sixth District, who emphasized the need for breadth of legal experience for new judges and for mentoring programs to bring newer judges up to speed. "We want ethical, respectful people who are willing, ready, and able to apply the laws that you, you as a legislature, put in front of us to enforce," Carnaroli said.

Carnaroli told senators the number of applicants for judicial openings has fallen. He said the Judicial Council averaged about 11 applicants per…