|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Keith McCall |
  
|
McCall: Carbon County to get third judge under new law passed Wednesday
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – State Rep. Keith McCall said Carbon County will have a new judge on duty starting in 2010 after the legislature passed a measure authorizing the voters to elect a third judge to the County Court of Common Pleas in the 2009 election.
"Carbon County is growing fast, and the case loads of our county courts were growing longer and longer, leading to unreasonable delays and trouble scheduling cases to get criminal and civil hearings and trials on the calendar," McCall said. "President Judge Nanovich and our County Commissioners came to me with compelling and overwhelming evidence that a third judge for Carbon County was long overdue, and I was glad to make sure legislation was put on the fast track so the voters can choose a new judge next year."
McCall said H.B. 301 adds a total of 12 judges in counties across the state, but Carbon County was at the top of the list when it came to needing another working bench.
"People involved in court cases have the right to a speedy trial, of course, but they also have the right to a judge that is not totally overwhelmed by an unreasonably large docket. Carbon County's existing two judges do an amazing job and have handled the strain brilliantly, but Judge Nanovich is completely correct: the judges – and the people the judges serve – need and deserve an additional judge to help take the case load.
"This new law is a win-win for everyone. Our courts will be able to handle more cases and our judges will have more time to fully review all the details of those cases."
McCall said the bill has passed both the House and Senate and now goes to Gov. Rendell to be signed into law.
###bc/2008/jma
l:'print'releases'ThirdJudge.122