Superior Court Judge, Dean Colvin appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners on Monday, two weeks after presenting his request of support to add a fourth court to the judicial system in the county.
During the August 5th meeting Colvin said adding another court and judge is not the sole solution to the over-crowing issues at the jail but, it’s a piece of the solution. He said while the state will pay the salary and benefits of a new judge the county would be responsible for additional staff of four along with the costs of operations. The one good thing is the county already has a court room available although it will need updates.
The County Council passed a resolution last week in support of the court expansion while the commissioners tabled action until Commissioner Mike Delp could get additional information and answers to his questions.
At Monday’s meeting Judge Colvin said the trend needing an additional court continues to rise even after the state revised they formula they use to do the calculations. He said, “It concerns me greatly.”
The commissioners understand this additional court room and judge will only be one of the keys but approved a resolution of support for the jail.
With the support of the Commissioners, County Council, local Bar Association and other county judges, Judge Colvin will head down state to the Committee of Courts and Code to plead the case for Marshall County. Once their support is garnered a legislator representing Marshall County will have to carry a bill with the court in it for House and Senate approval. If that would happen early next year, the earliest a fourth court could be added would be July of 2020.
