State Rep. Beau LaFave and Sen. Ed McBroom testify before the House Judiciary Committee in support of legislation to save the 95-A District Court judgeship in Menominee County from elimination.

State Rep. Beau LaFave’s plan to save the 95-A District Court judgeship in Menominee County from elimination was approved today by the House Judiciary Committee.

LaFave, of Iron Mountain, said his legislation would reverse the 2012 action to eliminate the position, which is slated to take effect March 31. The 2012 law eliminating the position was based on a State Court Administrator’s Office recommendation calling for the removal based on data from 2008-2010.

“Things have changed tremendously over the last 10 years. Felony cases are now on the rise and eliminating a judgeship simply does not make sense,” LaFave said. “We must take action to preserve this judicial resource for U.P. residents.”

Currently, only 11 judges are available to handle nearly half of all cases in the Upper Peninsula. The representative said eliminating one would only worsen the imbalance that already exists.

“Current statistics show a drastic imbalance of judgeships in the Upper Peninsula,” LaFave said. “Eliminating this judgeship will hinder administration of the court and prevent the creation of a proposed drug court that would help Menominee County residents gain access to treatment and combat drug and alcohol addiction.”

Similar legislation sponsored by Sen. Ed McBroom was also approved today by the House Judiciary Committee. Both measures now advance to the full House for consideration.

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