Judge vacancy crisis strains D.C. courts
A CBS News report details mounting judicial shortfalls in Washington, D.C., where 13 vacancies on the D.C. Superior Court — plus two judges on medical leave and two more retirements due by January — threaten to leave up to 15 of 62 trial-court seats empty and create major case backlogs. The piece explains how the District’s unique appointment process (the Judicial Nomination Commission sends lists to the president, who nominates, and the Senate confirms) has left many seats unfilled; President Trump has submitted four Superior Court nominations and the JNC says it has provided candidates for every vacancy.
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Trump crackdown highlights judge vacancy crisis pushing D.C. courts to brink
New information:
- There are currently 13 vacancies on the D.C. Superior Court and two judges on extended medical leave.
- By January, two more judges plan to retire, which could leave 15 of 62 Superior Court seats unfilled; two of nine D.C. Court of Appeals seats are also open (one since Nov. 2013).
- The Judicial Nomination Commission has submitted candidates for every vacancy; President Trump has nominated four Superior Court candidates and one has advanced from committee toward a full Senate vote.