Delta County may lose one of its three judges if House Bill 5108 is passed in late January or early February
DELTA CO. -- Delta County may lose one of its three judges if House Bill 5108 is passed in late January or early February. Those in the judicial community said the quality of justice will suffer as a result.
The legislation is intended to be a cost-saving measure and will eliminate one judge through attrition. Robert Goebel, Jr. is Delta County's probate judge. He said the proposed legislation would result in citizens being denied timely access to the courts. It'll mean a 50 percent caseload increase for the remaining two judges, and cases could be delayed.
"It's critically important, if they cover a case that they need heard in the court system. This does not personally affect me or the sitting judges. It would only take effect after we retire, so we're not doing this for any personal gain; we're trying to protect the people," said Goebel.
The bill is now out of the House and in the Senate Judiciary Committee where it's awaiting hearings.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC