Miscellaneous

On the Road Again

By Anne Skove, Esq.

Iowa judges are on the road again, if they pay their own expenses.

The state house unanimously voted to allow judges to drive to other counties to hear cases on their own dime. Gee, thanks! Next thing, they'll allow judges to buy their own benches.

Keep in mind that 55 of the state's rural counties do not have a sitting judge. Thus, they are at the mercy of judges who are ready, willing, and able to pay their own travel. Is this true access?

Not all the blame goes to the state house. The state chief justice started the ball rolling with an outright travel ban. Judges responded by offering to pay their own costs. They got what those who go above and beyond often get: rejection.

See Iowa House OKs Judge Travel Plan, AP/KPTM 42 News (April 13, 2009).

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on April 13, 2009 (boomark / email).