Idaho Federal Judges Face Increased Workloads

Idaho's two federal court judges are facing increased workloads to handle cases in a state that has more than doubled in population since Congress approved an additional district judgeship.

Officials say that the size of the court hasn't kept pace with the increase in case filings. Idaho's population in 1960 was about 700,000 residents, and is now at 1.5 million.

Chief District Judge B. Lynn Winmill and District Judge Edward J. Lodge are the state's two federal judges. The court also has two magistrate judges and two retired magistrates to manage caseloads.

The district judges handle felony criminal cases, while the magistrate judges handle civil cases, criminal misdemeanor cases and other criminal motions.

Assocaited Press