Rogers judge candidates tout solutions to growing caseload

ROGERS -- Incumbent Judge Paul Bridges and challenger Chris Griffin say they have a plan to tackle a growing caseload in Rogers District Court.

Early voting starts Feb. 16. Election day is March 1 in the nonpartisan judicial election, which is held the same day as the party primary.

Bridges was elected to the position in 2012. He previously worked as Benton County deputy prosecutor from 2003 to 2007.

The largest challenge the court faces is the region's continued growth, Bridges said.

"The success and increased population increases the load on all the systems," Bridges said. "It affects the court system with an increased caseload. Constrained with limited trained court personnel and facilities requires the court to respond with innovative methods."

Bridges said he has worked with police departments to implement an electronic ticketing program that streamlined processing of tickets.

Another upgrade is an audio and visual system used by the court, Bridges said.

"It has streamlined court activities by allowing testimony from agencies and out of state witnesses without the need for them to leave their work site and travel to court," Bridges said. "It also allows inmates from the jail to have their day in court without the need to remove deputies from the street to transport and guard them outside of jail."

Bridges also would like to see an expansion of a teen court program along with outreach to area high schools. The teen court allows first-time traffic offenders to be sentenced by a jury of teenagers. Apology letters, essays and community service are some of the sentences teenage offenders receive from the jury, he said.

Doug Norwood of Norwood & Norwood said Bridges worked for his law firm for about six years before he became a district court judge.

"He has been a pretty good judge," Norwood said. "You would think since he worked here before he would give us breaks, but he doesn't. He has been pretty tough."

Bridges has extensive knowledge on driving while intoxicated laws -- something the court sees a lot of, Norwood said.

"He is very smart and rock solid on the law," Norwood said.

Griffin, the Rogers staff attorney, has worked as the Rogers special deputy prosecuting attorney for eight years. He previously worked as an attorney for the law firm Keith, Miller, Scheider & Pawlik.

Rogers District Court needs a judge who is flexible and embraces technology, Griffin said.

"The court is one of the busiest courts in the state," Griffin said. "When (former district) Judge Brad Karren made drastic improvements like night court, community service and automated text reminders of court dates, he charted an impressive road map of using technology."

Those programs have all been cut in recent years, Griffin said.

"Today's backlog of criminal cases is now unmanageable," Griffin said. "Uncollected fines are soaring."

Griffin wants to bring back night court if elected. That will help people avoid missing work for minor offenses such as speeding tickets.

"Good people sometimes get tickets, and I believe justice can be delivered with speed and professionalism," Griffin said. "We know that if we embrace technology and are reasonable then people pay fines on time, which in turn, helps us fund important court programs."

Griffin said he also would like to use a community service program for nonviolent offenders. He said the program could benefit the community while reducing jail overcrowding.

Tom Keith, former 19th Judicial District Court judge, said Griffin has appeared before him as a prosecutor and civil attorney.

"Chris has a strong work ethic and sense of fairness that I think is necessary for a judge," Keith said.

Griffin can also think outside of the box, Keith said. That ability will help Griffin make the court system more efficient, Keith said.

"He has a willingness and ability to look at both sides of the issue and come to a fair conclusion," Keith said.

NW News on 02/09/2016