Idaho delegation seeks third federal judge

Idaho is one of only three states in the nation with only two authorized judge seats for the entire state. The others are North Dakota and Vermont.

Now, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have introduced legislation to establish a new district judgeship in Idaho for the first time in 60 years.

Since 2003, the Judicial Conference of the United States has consistently found that Idaho is facing a judicial emergency. That’s based on weighted caseload numbers per active judge. Crapo and Risch said Idaho is also challenged because current judges are reaching retirement eligibility.

“The ability to deliver justice to people in Idaho has been severely delayed due to the lack of a third federal district judge,” said Crapo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Judges from other districts have stepped in to assist but the amount of cases and related legal work is causing judge and court employees in Idaho and from neighboring districts to work many overtime hours. Idaho must be granted a third judge to meet the demands being required.”

Idaho’s two congressmen, Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House last week.