Idaho Lawmakers Increase the Number of Judges

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho is slated to get three more district court judges to help handle a growing caseload. The Senate Tuesday voted 35-0 to bump total judges to 45 from 42. The Spokesman-Review reports the new judges — in Canyon, Ada and Jefferson counties, in the 3rd, 4th and 7th judicial districts — begin work Oct. 1. Idaho has added just three judges since 2000, though its population has grown nearly a quarter.

State Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, spouse of a former state court judge who now presides in federal court, said the volume and complexity of cases judges must oversee has increased. Sen. Bart Davis of Idaho Falls, who as a lawyer occasionally goes before judges, said the need is real. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter must still sign the bill.