The Legislature should consider making the pay for retired judges uniform. The state should update and improve its method of estimating how many judges are needed. More Time Judges and attorneys indicated that delay in case processing is not a serious problem. Depending on case type, only between 0 and 13 percent of judges reported that delay is a serious problem in their district. Higher percentages of judges viewed delay as a moderate problem for criminal, juvenile, and family cases.
Judges views on the seriousness of delay varied somewhat by district.
Similarly, only between 3 and 18 percent of attorneys said delay is a serious problem, depending on case type. Nonetheless, judges are concerned about the size of their caseloads and their ability to devote adequate time to each case. At least three- quarters of judges agreed or strongly agreed that judges need more time per case on criminal, juvenile, and family cases if people are to feel their concerns are fully heard. Fewer reported the need for more time on civil cases, and fewer still on probate cases. When asked about causes of delay, judges most frequently said that delay occurs because there are too few judges, too few public defenders, or attorneys do not have enough time to prepare their cases.