BOISE, Idaho — As Idaho's U.S. Senate delegation pushes for an additional federal judgeship for the state, the U.S. District Court for Idaho is recognized as one of the most efficient in the nation.
In fiscal year 2022, Idaho was ranked fourth out of 96 federal district courts, up from sixth in 2021, Clerk of Courts Stephen W. Kenyon announced Wednesday. Kenyon also noted that Idaho's ranking is the highest ranking of any U.S. District Court in the Ninth Circuit.
The rankings track the key indicators of judicial workload, courtroom hours and trials.
"Idaho's ranking is especially notable considering that Idaho is still operating with only two District Judges for the entire state, the same number of District Judge seats as there were in 1954," Kenyon wrote in a news release.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in January introduced a bill to authorize a third federal district judgeship for Idaho. The congressional website indicates it was read twice and referred to the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 23, but no further action has been taken as of Feb. 8.
Here are the U.S. District Courts ranked in the top 10 for productivity for fiscal year 2022:
- Florida, Northern District
- Florida, Southern District
- Oklahoma, Eastern District
- Idaho
- Texas, Western District
- Pennsylvania, Middle District
- Delaware
- New York, Western District
- South Dakota
- Colorado
Idaho's current sitting U.S. District judges are Chief Judge David Nye and Senior Judge Lynn Winmill, who is on senior status. Winmill's senior status created a vacancy on the court, allowing for President Biden to nominate Judge Amanda Brailsford, who is currently on the Idaho Court of Appeals. Brailsford's nomination was delivered to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31, but has not yet been confirmed. The committee's next scheduled hearing to consider nominations is Feb. 15. Senators Crapo and Risch said they advised and negotiated with the White House on the nomination of Brailsford, whom the senators support.
Judge Scott Skavdahl, who's Chief U.S. District Judge for Wyoming, has recently taken on some cases in Idaho, including the recently concluded trial and sentencing of former Caldwell Police Lt. Joseph Hoadley. Skavdahl has been "sitting by designation," meaning he was temporarily assigned to Idaho. Both of Idaho's U.S. District Court judges had conflicts related to the Hoadley case.
U.S. Code authorizes the Chief Justice of the United States to assign a district judge from one circuit to a district court in another when a certificate of need is received from the chief district judge. Kenyon said it's not unusual for a federal judge appointed in one state to take on some cases in another.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
