In both Northampton and Lehigh County, a common pleas judge will receive a $214,347 salary this year. Their wages are tied to the cost of living, so they go up every year. There are nine judges in Northampton County, which has an estimated population of 318,526. That's one judge for every 35,392 people. There are 10 in Lehigh, which has an estimated population of 376,317. That's one judge for every 37,632 people. Lehigh County's President Judge and its Board of Commissioners is seeking an 11th judge.
Commissioner Ron Beitler, who voted to seek an 11th judge, noted this will cost Lehigh County taxpayers at least $400,000 per year in terms of administrative staff that comes with a judge. But he voted for it because "the U.S. Constitution obliges us." He adds that "[c]ourts are a core function of County government ... ."
A state senate bill authorizes a few additional judgeships, but not in Lehigh. That might change when the measure is considered by the House.
I'll agree that as a county's population increases, so does the need for more judges, prosecutors, public defenders, etc. But what about counties with decreasing populations? Beitler observes that "[c]ounties with decreases have not reduced their number of Judges even when warranted based on population and caseload. This means everyone gets less pie. Including those who need it."
I am unaware of any push in NorCo for an additional judge.
Its heartwarming to see they're doing such a good business that they need to hire more employees.
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice salary for a judge, especially one who has been on the bench for quite some time and doesn’t need to work five days/week. Makes me wonder, yet again, why a senior judge would want to resign to take a lower paying, higher stress job as, let’s say, a district attorney. Could the job change be some sort of vendetta, rather than for altruistic reasons? As for NC having an 11th judge, yes, let’s do that. Terry Houck for judge.
ReplyDeleteWE DON'T NEED ANY MORE STINKIN JUDGES. Go to the Courthouse and look to see how many Judges are working. Their parking spaces are hardly used and according to one Judge, his golfing average has increased considerably since becoming a Judge. They have magistrates to handle cases before they come into the mainstream courts, they have Court Masters, They have juvenile Masters, and other individuals that get cases that never go to the Judges. Then we have senior Judges who have retired and they get to try cases to subsidize their exuberant pensions. We don't need no more STINKIN JUDGES. They should start working for a living instead of sucking the system dry.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
DeleteCare to share? I’d be interested in knowing whose golfing average has improved since becoming Judge.
DeleteBernie is there any prohibition to counties either consolidating court systems or sharing overhead to reduce expenses?
ReplyDeleteLol that will never happen in Lehigh and Northampton
DeleteThey can barely talk about health and public safety
10:19, I know a few smaller counties that do share judicial resources. I am unaware whether enabling legislation is needed.
ReplyDeleteBusiness must be very brisk. Judges work so hard for excruciatingly long hours. They're worth it.
ReplyDeleteDefund the Elected!
ReplyDeleteYay for fascism!
DeleteYay!
Because we have a two system we need more judges.
ReplyDeleteBernie what happened to SANTA
ReplyDeleteA good portion of cases in Lehigh county do not involve residents big Lehigh county
ReplyDelete