Chief Judge Timothy Evans explained that while the Executive (proposed) Budget presented by the President has a 1.1% increase over 2009, the Chief Judge had sought a 3.3% increase due to the increase in juvenile justice cases (now handling 17 year olds charged with non-violent crimes, but the Chief Judge says that the money from the State that used to go to the Criminal Courts for these cases has not come over to the Juvenile Justice system), more domestic violence cases, and the mortgage foreclosure crisis. However, the Chief Judge reported that he has applied for and received grant funding for probation officer positions that had been cut in the Executive Budget, so he will seek an amendment to add those positions back. Chairman Daley asked the Chief Judge about the backlog of criminal justice cases that the Sheriff had discussed. The Chief Judge said that there had been great strides in eliminating the backlog and currently, 94% of the cases are disposed of within 2 years. With regard to the Sheriff’s comments that more arrestees should be on electronic monitoring, the Chief Judge said that 1/3 of those arrested are on electronic monitoring or on their own reconnaissance. The Chief Judge also said that the Sheriff’s proposal to close courtrooms after 6 pm would not be feasible because it is in the evening that the Traffic Safety School, Juvenile Deferred Prosecution program, Victim Impact panels and other programs run. He also expressed concern over the impact that municipalities would have if the weekend bond court closings were done as the Sheriff had suggested.
Commissioner Beavers said that he feels that the Interim Administrator of the Juvenile Detention Center is spending too much money and is concerned that long time employees are being laid off just because they don’t have college degrees. The Chief Judge said that the Juvenile Detention Center still has not been turned over to him, but that he has heard that that might occur by June. [As a result of a lawsuit, a federal court has appointed an Interim Administrator who reports to the court. Once the federal court feels that sufficient improvements at the Center have been made, then it would go back to being run by the County. Previously, the Center was under the President, but as a result of state legislation that was passed after the federal court took jurisdiction, the Chief Judge will assume responsibility prospectively.] The Chief Judge pointed out that the Interim Administrator would be appearing before the Finance Committee that afternoon and Comm. Beavers could address his concerns directly to him. [However, Comm. Beavers was not present then – see the post for the Juvenile Detention Center.]
--submitted by Observer Pris Mims
