The Courier of Montgomery reports that even though local judges says its going to get harder, the courts in Montgomery County have been able to clear cases on pace with peer and larger counties even as the population continues to rise rapidly.
According to Judge Kristin Bays of the 284th District court they’ve overcome complaints and backlogs.
According to Bays, however, “The numbers are starting to go up.” She said the courts “are working at maximum velocity.”
Back in February, commissioners were told by Bays, along with Judge Keith Stewart of the County Court of Law No. 5 and Judge Claudia Laird of the county’s Probate Court No. 1 that soon a $160 million courthouse will be needed.
Of the most populous counties in Texas between 2020 and 2024, criminal and civil courts in Montgomery, Collin and Denton counties were in the top five, with the cases cleared at 97 percent on average, when taking into consideration single county jurisdictions, according to the state’s Office of Court Administration. At the top of the list were McLennan County at 100 percent, Midland County at 100 percent and Tarrant County at 98 percent.
Bays says, however, that Montgomery County stands out in those statistics because it only has 14 elected judges, fewer than peer counties.
The counties that did better, according to Bays, “have 20 to 32 elected judges.” She said, “That is six to 18 more courts than we have.”
The reason Montgomery County can clear criminal cases at a high rate, according to Judge Phil Grant of the 9th state District Court, is because of a collaborative effort amongst judges, defense attorneys and the district attorney’s office.
According to defense attorney Tay Bond, most lawyers are working with the D.A.’s office to get plea agreements to take care of cases before going to trial.
Bays said they need to work quickly on a solution. The courthouse was built back in 1936. The building presents issues with endless repairs, safety concerns and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A new $160 million courthouse would include 28 courtrooms. Commissioners have not had further discussions.
