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Idaho chief justice asks Legislature for four new judges and pay hikes to address heavy caseloads
Summary
Idaho’s chief justice told the House on Jan. 15 that heavy workloads, declining applicants and high turnover are straining trial courts and asked legislators to fund four new judges and boost judicial pay to about $200,000 to improve recruitment and retention.
Boise — Chief Justice (name not specified), addressing the Idaho House of Representatives on Jan. 15, told lawmakers the state’s trial courts face rising caseloads, recruitment shortfalls and retention problems and requested funding for four new judges and higher judicial salaries.
The chief justice told members that magistrate and district judges carry heavy and varied dockets — from arraignments, warrants and juvenile matters to complex felony and civil litigation — and described examples of extreme workloads and travel demands. “On their busiest day during this week, one judge can hold hearings in as many as 124 different cases,” the chief justice said, and cited a district judge who closed 424 criminal and 198 civil cases in 2024.
The chief justice said those workloads and declining applicant pools threaten the courts’ ability to operate efficiently and impartially. “Just five years ago, there were, on average, 11 applicants for a district judge position. Last fiscal year, that…
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