Judges Ask for More Money

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah's top judge is asking for an 11-percent pay raise for herself and her colleagues on the bench. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham says it's becoming difficult to attract high quality judges to fill Utah vacancies.

"Now I know, better than most perhaps, that noone becomes a judge to get rich," says Durham. "But I am concerned about trends and morale."

In a survey conducted by the Utah Court System last year, forty percent of applicants said higher salaries would make Utah judgeships more attractive. District Court Judges in Utah currently make about 127-thousand dollars a year. Governor Huntsman and the Legislature's compensation committee both back Durham's request for an 11-percent pay hike. It will require an ongoing appropriation of 1-point-seven million dollars.

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