Do we have too many judges? Governor Rendell seems to this so, according to this interesting email from the CCAP (County Commissioners Association of Pa):Last week, Governor Rendell announced that most judicial vacancies would not be filled, as a short-term means of reducing judicial system expenditures. Exceptions may be possible on a case-by-case, critical need basis. The freeze was requested by Chief Justice Ron Castille who cited the judiciary's "dire fiscal situation," and is reported to affect nearly 30 vacant judgeships across the state. Additionally, the Supreme Court after systematic evaluation may act to consolidate some magisterial districts and recommend to the General Assembly the elimination of select Common Pleas Court judgeships.
CCAP is recommending that each county meet with its president judge to see whether its judicial complement is affected by the freeze, and whether any magisterial district justice positions are to be frozen or consolidated. Counties are encouraged to have local discussions on whether the current level of support expenditures can be reduced as positions are frozen or consolidated, and conversely whether other types of expenditures, including expediting installation or upgrade of video facilities, may be necessary to accommodate the freeze.
Northampton County currently has nine judges. In fact, our most recent judgeship was created without even asking for it. In addition to those nine judges, there are three senior judges and "masters" to handle pretrials, custody disputes, dependency and juvenile matters.
Each judge is paid $161,850 per year, whether at the courthouse or "home office." Senior judges get $497 per day, whether they work one hour or eight.
These salaries are paid by the state, but I've been told that every additional judge means about thirty county employees. In addition to the clerks, tipstaffs, secretaries and deputy sheriffs, personnel must be hired in different offices to handle the load.
It's no surprise that the Supreme Court would try to ease the burden by cutting down on the number of District Judges, most of whom are swamped. I doubt any President Judge is willing voluntarily to agree to any reductions. They've got a good thing going in Northampton County, with their own private floor. That's ostensibly for security, but it also prevents the public from seeing how little time they spend at the Courthouse.
Judges should be accountable, too. We lay off everyone else. maybe it's time to lay off a few judges.
10 comments:
Yes
i like the idea of one of the robed ones sitting in easton's square, holding a sign that says "will adjudicate for food"
Maybe just too many lawyers putting too much garbage into the system. Once it is in, it has to be dealt with.
Thank you for posting this. I always thinks it's unfair that when we talk about saving money, we always talk about cutting social programs or selling Gracedale but never consider these people making $161,000 presiding over "your oak tree is on my side of the yard" cases.
I work in the courthouse, and I can tell you that the judges are rarely here. When they do show up, they are gone by 2pm or earlier. If they have no court-- well that is just vacation time and they do not even come in.
I think we should cut title searchers too.
Amen Bernie. But honestly...is a layoff even possible for a judge? And if not, how are these judges not held accountable for the lack of time they spend at the courthouse? I'm sure all other county employees put in a 40 hour week, and get paid substantially less.
There was an interesting example this week. One of the judges was extremely upset about having to conduct a jury trial on a certain date, the only date that an expert witness was available, because he wanted to be home for an air conditioner or something of that sort. Would he excuse an attorney or party who failed to appear in court bc he was waiting for the cable guy?
This kind of behavior has to stop. But they hate to be criticized.
Unfortunately, there is no real boss. The PJ is really more or less the first among equals, so she can't stop them from acting like gods if they choose to do so.
That tale of is one everyone needs to hear, in detail.
Can you recall a judge?
Nope.
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