Here’s an update on a series of stories RADIOIQ aired back in December about a shortage of clerks in Virginia’s district courts. The judicial branch was asking lawmakers for more money, warning that staffing levels were at a crisis point.
While the state budget isn’t final yet, the current versions hold good news for Virginia’s judicial system. Lawmakers seem to have heard the plea and they’ve allotted funding for 120 more clerks across the state.
“We felt that it was a critical need and we’re very happy that the General Assembly agreed with us,” says Karl Hade, executive secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Hade says bringing staffing levels up will help district courts process paperwork faster, get people’s cases on the dockets more quickly, and improve customer service overall.
“As well as taking some of the pressure off our clerks in terms of stress, and anxiety and some of the other issues that they were facing,” says Hade.
He adds that this isn’t a complete fix, the system would still be short by more than 150 clerks, but it is a huge step forward.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
