Weekly Column: State Court System in need of Safety Improvements

February 13, 2007

Recently, Chief Justice Leigh Saufley appeared before a joint session of the Legislature to present a special report on the state of Maine’s Judicial System. While Chief Saufley pointed to a number of great accomplishments achieved by both the Courts and the Legislature, a number of goals remain.

First, I would like to point out that like our legislative process, which is open to the public to watch, our state’s highest court, the Law Court has made a strong effort to provide people across Maine with a front row seat to the judicial process. Recently, they have held court sessions around the state from Caribou to South Portland so that all Mainers can have the opportunity to see the court in action.

Secondly, the people of Maine should know that our Courts do an exemplarily job delivering justice. Over the years, our courts have been very economical about it. Last year, for example, our state spent about $55 million to pay for the judges, attorneys, staff, and other services supplied by our court system. Compared to New Hampshire, which spends $76 million a year to provide services to a similar number of people, we receive a pretty good deal for what we put in.

Like many other examples, our state does try to do more with less, and the Courts are a great example. However, many of our 40 court facilities are now in need of serious physical and technological upgrades. Kennebec County Superior Court and Augusta District Court are just two examples close to home of Courts that are in serious need of major renovations. Plans for improving Augusta’s Courts are in the works, and our Kennebec County Delegation is actively working with judicial officials to discuss its future needs.

Chief Saufley raised one issue common to all courts: the basic security of the courts themselves. Various bond and legislative initiatives have provided the courts with equipment like metal detectors and x-ray machines to screen for weapons. Unfortunately, there is a lack of funding to staff the machines all the time. In fact, last year Maine’s Courts were only able to provide security screening five percent of the time. When the funds are available for screening, Chief Saufley said personnel have found all sorts of weapons and drugs. In 2006, even with limited screening capacity, security screeners discovered 27 guns or bullet clips. In addition to guns, screeners stopped more than 5,000 knives at the door and 11 people tried to bring drugs or drug paraphernalia inside our courtrooms. Another 258 people turned around to avoid screening altogether.

Looking at court security from another perspective, Attorney General Steven Rowe points out that from 1996 through 2006, 219 people murders were committed in Maine. Nearly half of those murders relate to domestic violence matters. Chief Saufley made an important connection in her speech when she said how intimidating it must be for someone facing an accused murderer or assailant in court and not knowing whether the accused may or may not have a gun or some other kind of weapon that could do them harm. Victims of crimes or their families may wonder if they will be safe to speak out against the person who committed a crime against them.

Of course, there is a solution to this problem. If the state were to commit $3.7 million in new funds to our court system, then we could improve the safety of our courts. This is a tough challenge in a time when all levels of government are trying to be more efficient and reduce spending, but a challenge we must try to meet.

Libby Mitchell is the Senate Majority Leader in the Maine Senate. She represents the communities of Augusta, Vassalboro, China, Oakland, and Sidney for District 24.