NEW MONEY NEEDED FOR STATE JUDGES

Florida's growing population is well-known for putting a strain on the
state's environment, water supplies and roads. But growth, in putting a
strain on courts for drug offenders and juvenile delinquents, has created a
serious need for at least 49 more judges.

Last year, the Legislature approved 27 new judgeships, but the chairmen of
both criminal justice panels said there was considerable pressure to
rescind those judgeships during two recently completed emergency
budget-cutting sessions.

Florida's court dilemma is strikingly similar to the problem several
federal courts along the southwest border face as they are overwhelmed by a
flood of drug and immigration cases and a severe shortage of judges to
handle them.

While the problem in filling federal courts along the U.S. border
essentially boils down to politics, the problem in Florida comes down to
money - or the lack of. And lawmakers are quick to point out that there is
no money for new judges, and Gov. Bush last year did not budget any money
for new judges because the state has other priorities.

Rep. Randy Ball, R-Mims, who chairs the House criminal justice budget
committee, said "the chances are very slim they'll get any new judges"
during a lean fiscal year.

No cost for the judge request was available, but the state court
administrator last year estimated the cost of 44 new judgeships at $9.7
million a year, including support staff.

Across the state, the high court says there is a need for 34 new circuit
judges, 13 new county judges and two appeals court judges.

The Supreme Court last year asked for 44 new judges, and the 27 new
judgeships created were "insufficient" to meet the need, the justices wrote
in an unsigned opinion.

Wouldn't it be a interesting experiment if the Legislature fully funded the
judiciary to see how it would work fully staffed?

The fact is that law enforcement, prisons and the courts are fundamental
functions of a democratic society. One place where Florida has done well is
providing enough prison space. But there also is a need for an adequate
number of courtrooms, prosecutors, public defenders and support staff,
which are all part of a democracy that helps ensure fair and speedy trials
as well as getting violent criminals off the streets.

Having an efficient and effective court system is a critical part of
maintaining a safe and free society, not just for criminal cases but also
for civil cases.

Florida clearly needs more judges and we urge the Legislature to find the
money needed to pay for them.