This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah lawmakers on Thursday approved two bills that will add two new judges to eastern Utah's overburdened 8th District Court.
The bills — SB125 and SB127 — are now headed to Gov. Gary Herbert to be signed into law.
The bills add a new adult court judge and a new juvenile court judge, as well as two new clerks, starting in fiscal year 2014 at a cost of $353,300 for each new judge and clerk.
While court case numbers overall have been declining statewide, the 8th Judicial District has bucked that trend, registering a more than 20 percent jump from 2008 to 2012 and overloading the existing judges in the district.
"We're pleased that the legislature saw the need and met it," said court spokeswoman Nancy Volmer. "We recognize it is an extraordinary occasion when the legislature commits resources for two judges in one location at one time. The need presented in the Uintah Basin is an extraordinary one."
The 8th District Court serves residents in Uintah, Duchesne and Daggett counties.
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