Judge reviews officials' concerns
Judge Haynes
Shared positions, crowding at the jail and reimbursement for juvenile housing were a few concerns elected officials shared with Judge Lansing Haynes last week.
After being elected the Administrative District Judge for the First Judicial District on April 1, Haynes came to Boundary County to find out how he can be of assistance.
Haynes will apportion the workload for district judges, assign cases, make policies and procedures, and continue his current judicial duties. He was appointed to the bench in 2006 by
Sen. James Risch, then Idaho governor.
County Clerk Glenda Poston expressed
concerns of who is responsible for a shared position, in particular the bailiff.
“We want clarification on how to handle this,” said Commissioner Chair Dan Dinning.
Haynes said shared employees have dual roles, shared supervision and shared responsibility.
A lawsuit under way in Kootenai County regarding a shared position will answer some of the questions, he said.
Elected officials also asked Haynes to be mindful that what works in Kootenai County may not work in Boundary County because of fewer staff and resources.
“One size may not fit all,” said Haynes.
“I will be careful and cognizant.”
He was concerned about whether judges were in the county enough times a month or not.
Sheriff Greg Sprungl informed Haynes of the time frame he holds offenders in the jail because no judge is available, sometimes for two or three weeks.
Occasionally when the jail is full, the Sheriff’s Office transports the person to Bonner County so the case can be heard in a timely fashion.
Dinning asked if the courts could ask for reimbursement on housing juveniles.
“Anything to offset the cost to taxpayers,” said Dinning. “Anything at all.”
The county currently pays $188 per night for each juvenile housed at the Kootenai County juvenile detention center.
Haynes the trip was valuable.