Idaho’s congressional delegation is lobbying to bring another federal judge to the state.
Right now, Idaho only has two federal judges to handle cases in one of the fastest-growing states in the country.
That puts it dead last among all 50 states in terms of the number of federal judges per person.
It’s also one of three states covered by just two federal judges, the others being North Dakota and Vermont.
States with many fewer people than Idaho, like Delaware, South Dakota and Wyoming, all have more judges – both per capita and in total.
Sen. Jim Risch calls the situation a “judicial emergency,” while Sen. Mike Crapo says the ability to deliver justice to Idahoans has been “severely delayed.”
Two years ago, a group led by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts recommended Congress sign off on a new seat for Idaho.
A bill adding a new judicial seat passed out of a congressional committee last September, but it was never taken up by the House.
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