Opinion ID: 884478
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Second-Floor Space Vacated by Sheriff

Text: Judge Moran's Order provides for locating Department II's jury room on the second floor of the Center, directly across the hall from the existing jury room, in the space vacated by the Sheriff's office. Judge Wilson found that locating Department II's jury room in this space would alleviate the security concerns over jurors mingling with the public which exist regarding the third-floor jury room and would cost a nominal amount. Judge Wilson further found that moving the jury room across the hall would allow Department II to use the existing jury room for mediations, storage and other necessary uses. Judge Gary testified that jurors would only travel a short distance back and forth across the hall and, therefore, it would be much easier to monitor them. He also opined that locating Department II's jury room in the space vacated by the Sheriff's office would provide Department II with much-needed extra space. Orenstein testified, consistent with Judge Gary, that it would not be difficult to escort the jurors across the hall. Moreover, placing the jury room across the hall would alleviate the problem with the existing jury room of being able to hear the jury deliberate. Judge Moran hired Dennis Nelson (Nelson), a contractor, to determine the cost of renovating the space across the hall from his courtroom for use as a jury room. Nelson testified that his estimate included soundproofing for privacy of jury deliberations and handicapped-accessible toilet facilities. He stated that the total cost for renovating the space would be about $21,000. We conclude that substantial credible evidence supports Judge Wilson's findings regarding the suitability of locating Department II's jury room across the hall from the courtroom and existing jury room on the second floor and that the findings are not otherwise clearly erroneous. In summary, Judge Wilson's findings regarding the unsuitability of both the existing Department II jury room and the third-floor jury room proposed by Gallatin County are supported by substantial credible evidence. Judge Wilson did not misapprehend the effect of the evidence and our review of the record does not convince us that a mistake has been committed. Therefore, we hold that the findings are not clearly erroneous. Applying § 3-5-404(1), MCA, to these findings mandates our conclusion that the Commissioners failed to provide Department II with a suitable jury room. On that basis, we further conclude that § 3-5-404(1), MCA, authorized Judge Moran to issue an Order to Provide Facilities. Moreover, according to its plain terms, § 3-5-404(2), MCA, mandates that the expenses incurred as a result of such an order are to paid out of the county treasury general fund after being certified by the judge as correct. We conclude, therefore, that § 3-5-404(2), MCA, authorized the portion of Judge Moran's Order directing that the expenses associated with the Order be paid from the Gallatin County general fund. Gallatin County's final argument stated briefly and without citation to supporting authorityis that Judge Moran did not have authority to designate the specific location for Department II's jury room. The statute does not directly address this matter, and we have not previously interpreted the statute. However, the statute's provision that a judge may direct the sheriff to provide suitable facilities does not contemplate returning decision-making to the very entity which heretofore has failed to provide such facilities. In addition, under these unique facts, Judge Moran's Order was not unreasonable. As Judge Wilson found, Judge Moran's proposal for the location of the jury room solves the problems associated with both the existing jury room and Gallatin County's proposed site on the third floor and requires relatively minimal renovation costs. Accordingly, we reject Gallatin County's request that we dismiss Judge Moran's Order or declare it void and we affirm that Order. HUNT, NELSON, TRIEWEILER and LEAPHART, JJ., concur.