MOHAVE COUNTY – The Board of Supervisors is supporting Presiding Judge Steve Moss’ bid for an 8th Superior Court Division for Mohave County. The Board, during its Jan. 6 meeting, authorized Moss to request that the Governor establish the Division to keep pace with continued growth in population and case counts
In his Dec. 23, 2024 communication to the Board, Superior Court Administrator Kip Anderson said another Division is needed to help ensure delivery of timely justice and serve the public in a professional and efficient manner.
“The Arizona Constitution provides for one Superior Court Judge for each 30,000 inhabitants or majority fraction thereof,” Anderson’s letter stated. “The population has reached 228,107 as of July 1, 2024 and this entitles the Court to an additional Division.”
Anderson, Moss and other Court staff members gained traction when they visited supervisors and other county officials individually in the weeks ahead of the first meeting for the newly-configured board.
“There’s definitely a need for it because the facts are there and the numbers are there,” supervisor Don Martin said. “The current judges look they’re just getting pounded, so I think if there’s something we can do as a board to help that out, I think we ought to do it.”
Moss said most of the expense involves salaries and benefits for the Judge, court reporter, clerk and bailiff positions associated with the Division. He said it’s a necessary, though expensive proposition.
“Typically, it’s a half-million-dollar price tag and the county’s position would be roughly a quarter of a million,” Moss told supervisors. He said the County will actually need up to five more judicial officers in the years ahead.
Moss said the current remodel of the Court annex and future renovation of the historic Courthouse will provide additional judicial space going forward.
“It’s going to have to be a multi-year-long-process to get these positions filled,” Moss said.
Supervisor Rich Lettman told Moss he’d like to see a detailed plan regarding future need involving judges and support staff. “It’s our job to find the money,” Lettman said.
Lettman took it a step further. He said he understands there’s need for additional personnel throughout the legal and law enforcement system, from deputies to prosecutors and defense attorneys, and he expressed interest in betterment of the entire justice community.
Dave Hawkins
