"The workload facing the judges in this district is one of the highest in the nation. This temporary judgeship will help ensure the proper functioning of this busy court," Grassley said.
The Northern District of Iowa has experienced a 35 percent increase in overall filings since 1999, including the doubling of criminal filings to 164. As a result, the number of criminal filings per judge is twice the national average and is 6th highest in the nation.
The number of criminal trials completed has also doubled in the last two years. In 2001 completed trials rose to more than 50 per judge, which is the highest total in the nation and more than twice the national average.
The Administrative Office of the Courts, the administrative arm of the federal judiciary, recognized the Northern District's high trial rate and the limited ability of the senior judges to contribute to alleviating the case load. As a result, they have recommended the addition of this temporary judgeship.
"The numbers show that clearly this temporary judgeship is needed. I'll continue to work to get this additional judge for Iowa," Grassley said.