Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Judiciary topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Municipal judge asks council to approve magistrate position as civil caseload rises
Summary
Judge Best told council she intends to create a magistrate position to manage a roughly 40% increase in civil filings and to allow civil dockets every other week; council asked about courtroom space and logistics.
Judge Best told Tiffin City Council she plans to establish a magistrate position this year to tackle an increased civil caseload and improve consistency in case management. She said civil filings have increased by about 40%, and a magistrate would allow civil dockets to run every other week while freeing the judge to manage criminal dockets and specialty dockets such as drug recovery court.
Judge Best said she benchmarked compensation and staffing with neighboring jurisdictions and set a salary intended to attract candidates with the minimum required legal experience. Council members asked about hearing‑room capacity; Judge Best said the jury room could be converted into an additional hearing room if needed and that visiting judges currently fill gaps when she is absent. Law Director and city staff discussed logistics for hearing spaces at both Tiffin and Fostoria locations.
Council did not record a formal vote on creating the magistrate at this meeting; Judge Best said the position would be implemented in coordination with court administration, case management and budget staff.
