Idaho Chief Justice Bevan delivers State of the Judiciary to Legislature

By Reader Staff

Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan delivered his annual State of the Judiciary address Jan. 17, focusing on the court’s efforts to support the rule of law both in and out of the state’s courtrooms.

“Our branch is the embodiment of the American ideal that everyone answers to the law and answers equally,” Bevan told members of the Idaho Legislature at the State Capitol in Boise.

The yearly speech to the Legislature discusses the role of the courts, significant Judicial Branch projects and other matters important to maintaining Idaho’s “fair, timely and impartial court system,” according to a statement from the Supreme Court. 

The text of the speech is posted at isc.idaho.gov. A recording will be published when available at annualreport.isc.idaho.gov.

Bevan went on to describe efforts by the Judicial Branch to improve support for jurors and court users alike, who include individuals filing and responding to cases within state courts, but also users of court systems like the iCourt Portal, which makes available case information.

The chief justice addressed the importance of stable funding to support court technology, given the role of such technology in providing access to justice. The Idaho Supreme Court is making changes to its hosting and delivery of technology services to improve security and support, and this session proposes state general fund dollars to ensure those services are properly maintained going forward.

Bevan called again for raising the wages paid to judges in order to reflect their education and expertise. 

“Idahoans deserve judges who are at the prime of their careers and at the top of their game,” he said. “But we don’t get there by making judicial service painful and undercompensated.”

To run one of Idaho’s three branches of government, the Supreme Court’s 2024 budget proposal amounts to a little more than 1% of current general fund expenditures.

The Jan. 17 address was Bevan’s fourth, each of which focused on cooperation across the various sectors of state government to benefit Idahoans.

“Each year during these remarks, I have shared my strong belief that working together, our branches can truly improve life for the people of this state,” he said. “The power to keep Idaho exceptional lies with us.”