08/08/2025
I can't wait to tell you about a new program in Washington County called JUDICIAL COMMISSIONERS. It is a good and new service that DID NOT require ANY NEW MONEY.
Washington County used to have Night Clerks, who had limited powers to address/adjudicate citizens who are arrested or in need of the judicial system during the night.
But in this new program, night clerks are trained to serve as Judicial Commissioners. They are closely supervised by our General Sessions Judges and can help make more timely decisions such as:
**lower or higher bond amounts
**use of ankle monitoring
**search warrants to test a person's blood alcohol level
**restraining orders for victims of domestic violence
Now, those who commit DUI crimes can be tested in a timely manner - justice for any victim. Now, victims of domestic violence who ask for protection during the night, do not have to wait until morning. Now, those who are accused of crimes can receive consequences that grant them greater freedom until trial, or greater restriction if they are dangerous. Indeed, in it's first trial week, judicial commissioners responded to 47 different arrests, with at least 7 decisions made that were unique to their empowered skills.
Honestly: have you ever thought about your tax dollars being used for adjudication during the night and the quality of that programming? I ADMIT I DID NOT. Until now.
Below are pictured our three General Sessions Judges who have been hard at work developing this program with Judge Minga (center, blue) as the lead. He is laughing in this photo because he has an amazing can-do attitude in spite of the many extra hours he has worked to develop this program.
I'll just say one more thing about this because y'all know I am unstoppable in my enthusiasm for all things county government. The commission was firm on "no new money," and these judges are making it work - finding personnel who can fill close to 150 hours of night and weekend hours. But also! Sherriff Sexton jumped in to share: an administrative staff member, space in the jail, and even office furniture so that NO NEW MONEY was spent. One of the key outcomes of the program will be: how does it affect our jail census (a future expense, possibly, depending)? By close coordination between judicial commissioners and the sheriff's office, that aspect can be monitored and addressed.
The judicial commissioner program will be conducted for one year at which time it will be evaluated for cost and impact. I am looking forward to seeing how this new service goes!
HAPPY FRIDAY CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY!!!
