(Spirit Lake)– Dickinson County Supervisors today (Tues.) heard an update from Judge Carl Petersen of Judicial District 3A. He says it’s an especially challenging time for the court system as they are experiencing an increase in cases and a decrease in staff and funding from the state…
“As far as cases like pending year to date, compared to last year, and this is in the 10 counties, an additional 68 just domestic cases sitting there, compared to the year before. So we see an upward trend in all our caseload. Not dramatic but when you lose staff and you’re struggling to maintain that, that means cases don’t always get to like people like to see.”
Judge Petersen says they’re also seeing a jump in the number of protection orders. That led to his next topic, courthouse security. He requested the supervisors consider funding for an additional officer that would be solely dedicated for courthouse security during motion days and for certain trials. He says several counties in the region already have that in place…
“Clay county, Buena Vista county, have a part time deputy present during all motion days in the hallway and he’ll come into the courtroom and assist with security and serve somewhat as a bailiff, but mostly there for security. Kossuth county, probably because of what’s occurred over there, has now decided, the Sheriff there, has decided to hire a full time deputy to be in the courthouse, the entire courthouse, not to screen people that come in, but will be present in the courthouse during working hours.”
County Attorney Steve Goodlow expressed his support for the request…
“We have had a couple of incidents in juvenile court, here, recently. We’ve taken to, a lot of times when we’re in a hearing, we’re locking the doors so people can’t get in because we don’t know who’s coming in the back door. It’s supposed to be a public venue and a public setting. It kind of goes against my grain that we’re locking ourselves up in there when we’re doing that. So I’m all in favor of, I mean obviously we’re in budget time. I’m all in favor of it and the sooner, the better.”
The supervisors agreed to form a committee that will look into the matter and come back with a formal recommendation.
