Photo: JD Snover
(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowa judges are asking for a bump in pay and continual improvements to the juvenile system. Those priorities were highlighted in Chief Justice Susan Christensen's annual Condition of the Judiciary address.
Judicial Pay
To introduce a pay raise, she's proposing what she calls the Kansas Plan, which is named for the state that passed the legislation.
"A statute would set the salary of a state district court judge to be 75% of a federal district court judge," Christensen says. "In 2024, a state district court judge's salary was 68% of their federal counterparts' salary."
According to the administrative office of the US Courts, those federal judges make around $275,000 a year. Therefore, the Chief Justice's proposal would increase the state level officials' pay to just over $206,000. Chief Justice Christensen's plan would roll out over four years.
State Attorneys
In addition to judicial pay, Christensen touched on the constitutional right to an attorney for all defendants. She noted there's a lack of state attorneys in Iowa.
"Criminal defendants have a right to counsel...that is constitutionally crystal clear," Christensen says. "Yet today, we have just half the number of contract attorneys we had just 10 years ago."
Iowa's courts have made changes in technology, but the Chief Justice says technology can't replace people. A program piloted in Clinton County is giving defendants someone to talk to before self-defending.
"These non-attorneys can't give legal advice," Christensen says. "But, they assist self-represented litigants by explaining court rules and procedures and help them out with forms."
Juvenile Court
To close the annual address, Chief Justice Christensen called for legislators to work with her on improvements to the juvenile court system. She says representatives from the Youth Justice Council told her they want to feel heard.
"Turning those wishes into action requires collaboration and understanding," Christensen says. "I'm committed to working closely with the legislative and executive branches to explore how we can create better opportunities and outcomes for Iowa's most vulnerable children."
The first legislative funnel is scheduled for March 7th.