www.hometownglenburnie.com/news/mdgazette/2009/03/04-06 -
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Published on: 3/4/2009
Last Visited: 3/4/2009
Circuit Court Judge Nancy Davis-Loomis, the court's administrative judge, Clerk of the Circuit Court Robert Duckworth and Court Administrator Robert Wallace disputed any suggestion that the county does not need another judge.
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Davis-Loomis, who testified before the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of the bill, noted an analysis by the state's Administrative Office of the Courts that found the county actually needs three more judges to handle its current workload.
She said the number of civil filings increased 12.6 percent between fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008.
The number of civil hearings increased 42.8 percent between 2005 and 2008, and the number of criminal hearings increased 17.6 percent.
"I don't think there is any question that we need the judge," she said, noting that no one stood up at the hearing to publicly oppose the 12th judge.
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But Davis-Loomis admitted the county doesn't have a courtroom or an office for a 12th judge right now.
The courthouse on Church Circle in Annapolis has only 10 courtrooms and 11 chambers, meaning one judge must "float" and hold hearings in whatever courtroom is available.
Davis-Loomis asked the committee to approve the bill, but not fund Anne Arundel's position for a year or two.
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So far, Davis-Loomis has not formally asked County Executive John R. Leopold for the money to renovate the courthouse, which is owned by the county.
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Davis-Loomis stressed that would not happen.
"We aren't trying to pressure anyone," she said.
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