Benton County wants additional circuit judge

BENTONVILLE -- Benton County is seeking a seventh circuit judge to handle an increasing caseload, Circuit Judge Doug Schrantz said.

Schrantz said case filings per judge in the 19th West Judicial District ranks third in the state, supporting the need for an additional judge. Benton County comprises the district. He said civil, criminal and juvenile cases have increased.

The Benton County Bar Association has approved a resolution supporting the effort, Schrantz said.

Katie Eaves, president of the association, said the number of cases adjudicated in the county is incredibly high and continuing to increase.

"With the population explosion projected in Benton County over the next several years, our decision to support the addition of a seventh judge was not a difficult one to make," she said. "We feel, as we look forward to continued growth, supporting our local judiciary will help ensure Benton County remains both a safe place to live and a great place to practice law."

Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith supports the bid for another judge.

"Even in a safe community, a rise in population will inevitably lead to some rise in crime," Smith said.

He said his office has 230 more felony cases this year than at the same time last year.

"An additional judge would allow our two criminal judges to focus exclusively on an increasing criminal docket by dedicating their remaining civil docket to the new judge," he said.

Schrantz said there have not been any discussions about the case division.

The circuit judges had to submit a proposal, which included population statistics, judge's caseloads and letters of support, to the Judicial Resources Assessment Committee. The committee, which is made up of state judges, makes a decision in October and would make a recommendation to the Legislature to consider in 2019.

The position, if approved, would be elected in 2020 and take the bench in 2021, Schrantz said. Schrantz, who was the last judge added, took the bench in 2009.

He said he feels positive about the county's chances to get the new judgeship.

County Judge Barry Moehring supports the request. He said it shows the importance of building a new courthouse to have the courtroom and space for an additional judge. The Quorum Court is expected to approve a special election in March to decide on a sales tax increase to build a $30 million courthouse.

Moehring expects the courthouse to be completed about the same time the new judge would take the bench. If the tax hike isn't approved, he's confident they will find space, he said.

The 4th Judicial District, which includes Washington and Madison counties, is seeking its eighth judge. The Washington County Quorum Court has adopted a resolution supporting a request for a new judge and agreed to help renovate and expand the juvenile justice building if one is approved.