Utah Chief Justice Matthew Durrant told legislators Monday that more funding is needed for the courts — not just to pay for new judges where the population has grown, but to increase pay for judges and clerical staff.
During the annual State of the Judiciary address, Durrant told lawmakers during the first day of the legislative session that providing funding for four new judges for Salt Lake, Tooele and Summit counties was critical to meet the needs of the people there and to make sure judges aren’t taking on too large of a caseload.
He said that while the courts estimate they need nearly seven new judges in the 3rd District Court, they are only requesting funding for four.