Opinion ID: 2427838
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Civil Docket

Text: The District of Arizona is also experiencing inordinate pressure with its civil caseload. Three percent of civil cases filed in Phoenix, and 5.6% of the Tucson cases, have been pending over 3 years as of December 31, 2010, a total of 3.4% for the district. Of the motions filed in this district, 10.6% were pending over 6 months as of January 18, 2011. Because of the overwhelming caseload, in FY 2009, Arizona ranked an unenviable 54th in the nation and 6th in the circuit for time from filing to trial in civil cases, and 35th in the nation and 7th in the circuit in time to disposition. These percentages demonstrate the pressure of the civil caseload and motion docket at all times. Given that these numbers were generated when the District of Arizona had no vacancies, and now there are three vacancies with no nominees, the backlog will continue to grow. We note that Circuit Judge Tashima graciously volunteered to take on Judge Roll's civil docket, which will help the District of Arizona's overburdened district judges.