Idaho prepared to ask for third federal judge
February 1, 2012
Idaho: The Idaho House of Representatives this week passed a nonbinding memorial to ask Congress for a third judge to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. The court has had only two judges since 1954, but a higher population count has lead to an increasing caseload.[1] According to 2010 Census data, Idaho's population increased 21% from 2000 to 2010.[2]
The decision to ask for another federal judge was not made without opposition, however. Almost 45% of House members did not support the memorial, with 36% of Republicans voting against it. Some Republican opposition can be explained by Representative Linden Bateman, who "said he would 'be glad to support this memorial if we get a new president.'"[1]
Grant Burgoyne, who sponsored the memorial, declared that it had nothing to do with politics, and that the judges already serving that state were indistinguishable from the parties of their appointing presidents.[1]
The result of higher caseloads is that cases are often sent to courts with a lower response time.[1]
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