Thread: Legislators push for more judges in border states

Legislators push for more judges in border states


Gary R. Martin, Hearst Washington Bureau


Wednesday, May 18, 2011


Skyrocketing criminal caseloads creating a judicial crisis in U.S.-Mexico border states prompted senators Wednesday to announce plans to create new federal judgeships in California, Texas and Arizona.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would create four new judicial seats in California, three in Texas and one in Arizona to address the crowded criminal dockets resulting from increased law enforcement efforts.

Feinstein said the bipartisan bill, supported by Texas and Arizona senators, "is a narrow emergency measure to provide relief in the handful of districts that need it the very most."

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, in his annual report on the federal judiciary this year, declared that there was a judicial crisis in border courts that are burdened by caseloads that have grown dramatically with stepped-up law enforcement efforts.

Cases jumped 10 percent in the Western District of Texas last year, to 8,244 filings, according to the U.S. Administrative Office of the Courts, while cases in the Southern District increased by 15 percent in 2010.

The bill would also create a judgeship for Minnesota, the only state along the northern U.S. border to receive a new post. In addition to the new judicial seats, two temporary judgeships in California and Arizona would be converted to permanent posts under the bill.

Roberts, in his annual report, was critical of the White House and the Senate for moving slowly to fill vacant judicial posts. Of the 93 court vacancies nationwide, the White House has nominated 40 people for those posts.

www.sfgate.com

[quote="jean"]Legislators push for more judges in border states


I REALLY believe this bill will pass, and when it does, less illegals will "slip through the cracks" and will be sent a message that we aren't fooling around! I'm anxiousely awaiting this ruling!

Yes, FreeRideIsOver, I too hope this measure passes swiftly. I would also like to see state courts take over some of the immigration proceedings, since these courts are more than capable of determining whether someone is in our country legally or subject to deportation. Illegal Alien Court should be as simple as traffic court and just as swift.

Of the 93 court vacancies nationwide, the White House has nominated 40 people for those posts.

This is not a bad thing. I'm glad those benches are not being filled by people like Sotomayor or Holder.

Dixie

Now put Americans to work building new prisons cause we are going to need them with the 4 million CRIMINAL illegals here.

Bill would give Valley new federal judgeship
Comments 2

May 22, 2011 4:28 PM

Jacqueline Armendariz

The Brownsville Herald


BROWNSVILLE — Immigration, human trafficking and drug cases related to the border burden the wheels of justice in Brownsville and McAllen federal courts, but it’s not certain which district city might receive a new federal judgeship to ease the pain.

“It’s kind of the last line of defense there with respect to handling a lot of these issues, so it’s tremendously important that the federal district courts are adequately resourced,â€

Federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, while members of Congress often recommend candidates for the life term.

America can not a accept a liberal judge going into those seats who will turn the illegals back out on America like water through a sieve for the rest of their life.

Dixie

Open more positions and multiply the number of judge positions...streamline the deportation system and let the illegals know they will be found..will be prosecuted...will be deported.