Court calls for 64 new judges: but asks that facility and operational issues be funded first.

While Florida could sure use 64 new judges to keep up with caseloads, there are more pressing "facility and operational issues" the Supreme Court would rather see funded first.

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The court released its annual judicial certification opinion December 20, calling for 47 new county judges, 16 new circuit jurists, and one new district court of appeal judge. But the justices acknowledged that the state's ongoing economic problems--while improving--will make the creation of any new judgeships problematic.

"We recognize that the funding of new judgeships is an expensive proposition, especially during difficult economic times with diminished state revenues," the unanimous court said.

"We encourage the Legislature to first fund the Judicial Branch Fiscal Year 2013-14 Legislative Budget Request, as there are significant facilities and operational issues contained therein which merit funding," the justices said. "To the extent funding is available, we urge the Legislature also to consider our certified need for additional judges."

It's been six years since the Legislature created any new judgeships.

The State Court System's $474 million budget request for 2013-14--filed with the Legislature in October--seeks a 3.5 percent competitive salary adjustment for all state courts system employees and funding for long-delayed court system buildings and facilities maintenance projects.

Court employees haven't had a raise since 2006, despite having to do more with less after 235 positions were eliminated, and average court salaries now lag nearly 10 percent behind competing employers, according to the budget request.

Circuit Trial Courts

In determining the number of new trial court judges needed, the court said it examined case filing and disposition data, analyzed various judicial workload indicators, applied a three-year average net need, and considered judgeship requests submitted by the lower courts.

"We observe that state revenues, while gradually improving, continue to lag, thereby creating competition between funding new judgeships and attending to other critical state needs," the court said. "Yet, as we have noted in previous opinions, our judges and court staff continue to work conscientiously to administer justice and resolve disputes promptly. They do so despite a demonstrated need for new judges and with a smaller staffing complement."

The court said there has been a "slight increase" in probate and circuit civil filings; however...