More money needed for cases, judge says

Judge Beth Smith seeks almost $900,000 for salaries and wage increaes.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Pre- and post-divorce case filings in Mahoning County have more than tripled in six years, largely because of child custody issues, Judge Beth A. Smith of Domestic Relations Court says.
And she's seeking more money next year to deal with the overload and give modest pay raises to court workers.
Three court magistrates heard 1,364 cases in 1999. This year, with no additional personnel, the magistrates are on track to hear 4,411 cases, Judge Smith told county commissioners during a budget hearing Tuesday.
Pre-divorce cases usually involve temporary custody orders while divorces are pending, Judge Smith said. Post-divorce cases are largely over changes in custody because people are relocating, which is a reflection of the Mahoning Valley's economy, she noted.
More domestic violence cases
The court also has experienced an increase in domestic-violence cases. New filings were 734 as of Monday, compared with 700 for all of 2004. Two hearings are held per filing. These cases are serious, timely and time-consuming for magistrates, Judge Smith said.
The number of new divorce filings appears to be holding steady -- this year's projection is 821, compared to 819 in 2004, the judge said.
Judge Smith seeks $899,330 for her 2006 budget, which is about $147,000 more than what her court was allotted this year. The increase includes salaries for a recently hired fourth magistrate and a new nonmagistrate mediator who has yet to be hired; 3 percent wage increases for domestic relations court employees; and other salary adjustments to keep wages competitive with private-sector jobs.
"My real concern is that I'm going to lose employees," Judge Smith said. "I'm afraid they're going to go to greener pastures."
Two magistrates left domestic relations court this year, chief magistrate Mark A. Huberman said. One returned to private practice, and the other rejoined the county prosecutor's office. Domestic relations magistrates haven't been paid as well as other magistrates, Judge Smith said.
The projected salary for incoming magistrate Donald C. Hepfner is $70,000.
The mediator, whose proposed salary is $35,000, is needed to help with resolving custody and visitation disputes, Judge Smith said.
Domestic relations court workers haven't had a pay raise since 2002, and Judge Smith wants to bring some parity with wages that other county employees receive.
"That's all we want, just some equity," she said.
shaulis@vindy.com