Political Quotes

“I rise to address one aspect of the ``21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act,'' H.R. 2215. Section 312 creates a number of Federal judgeships, including a temporary judgeship for the District of Arizona. Under the bill, the temporary addition of an extra seat to the 12-member Federal district court will commence in July 2003 and will end with the first judicial retirement that occurs after that ten-year period expires, returning the court to twelve seats. The District of Arizona sorely needs this judgeship. According to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the District of Arizona ranks 10th in total weighted filings among all 94 districts. The general standard for weighted filings established by the U.S. Judicial Conference as an indicator of a need for additional judgeships is 430. With 604 weighted filings per judgeship, the District of Arizona exceeds this criteria by 29 percent, despite the recent and much appreciated addition of four new judges. The high level of filings in the District of Arizona is not temporary. The weighted filings in this district have been substantially higher than the national average since 1985. The District of Arizona reported 6,300 civil and criminal case filings in 2001, a 26 percent increase in filings over a five-year period. The District's criminal felony caseload has increased 104 percent over the past 5 years.”