D.A.: Laramie County Will Have To Wait On Fourth Judge

Laramie County District Attorney Jeremiah Sandburg says that while state lawmakers have started the process of adding a fourth District Court Judge to the county's judicial lineup, it won't happen right away.

He says that while the Joint Appropriations Committee has given its approval to adding a judge in Laramie County, it won't make any money available to do that until the county resolves the issue of finding a courtroom to house the judge.

Sandburg says that apparently will involve the remodeling and construction needed to create a new courtroom and chambers at the Laramie County Courthouse.

While the county will be responsible for the cost of creating another courtroom, the state will pay for the judge once the space is avaIlable. Sandburg says he thinks the whole process "could take a year or two."

The District Attorney said a couple of months ago that the Laramie County District Court system is so overloaded that there are significant delays in getting cases heard.

He said one particular problem has arisen with cases involving juveniles who are removed from their parents home, adding it takes about twice as long to get such cases resolved in Laramie County as it does in the rest of the state.

The county's population has increased by about 10,000 people over the last few years, according to Sandburg.