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News Release 2006-1 April 4, 2006 Law and Justice Report: Space, Security and Documents For
the San Juan County Law and Justice Council, courtroom safety, inmate
transportation, limited court space, increased caseload and cramped record
storage are problems that are severely impacting the service that is
provided. At
the quarterly meeting with the county council on March 14, Prosecuting Attorney Randall K. Gaylord
reported will continue to push for construction f a second courtroom and
appropriate office space. Mr. Gaylord
is the chair of the Law and Justice Council for this year. Other members include the district court
judge, superior court judges, court administrative staff, public defender,
sheriff, juvenile court, a bar association representative and a representative
from the town of Friday Harbor. Sheriff
Bill Cumming explained that he was working on court house security issues after
receiving an audit from the State Administrative Offices of the Courts. The audit found several items that could be
improved, some inexpensively. A high priority of the sheriff is to assure
inmates and the public are separated in the courthouse. A subcommittee was given the task of
prioritizing the items based upon risk factors and costs of implementation. District
Court Judge Stewart Andrew reported on the difficulties in using the Council
hearing room as a second courtroom for jury trial or when there are multiple
witnesses. The Council acknowledged
that they are looking into remodeling alternatives to accommodate three
additional Council members. “We would
ask to be involved in any discussions regarding modifications to the Council
chambers and conference room,” Judge Andrew wrote in a letter to the County
Council. Mr.
Gaylord reported that the Law and Justice Council will continue to push for the
construction of a second courtroom and appropriate space for all of
offices. “Since 1994, we have been
asking for the space we need,” said Gaylord.
“We know how to find the money through bonding or taxes . We also know there money that should be
earmarked for this project available after 2009. “We need to start planning for this now, not wait until 2009,”
said Gaylord Gaylord asked the Council
to earmark the funds that will be available after the current bond payments
expire. Mr.
Gaylord reported that there was a crisis in storage, record keeping and record
file management at the courthouse.
County Clerk Mary Jean Cahail has found a grant for a model record
keeping system through a state agency.
There was good support for the grant, and if received, the procedures
that would be developed would serve as an example for other departments of the
County. |