Halverson's Docket Stripped of Criminal Cases; Civil Cases Shuffled
If you were scheduled to show up in Departments 17, 18 or 23 on Monday, you might want to call the court and ask where your case will be.
The R-J has an article today that begins, “Chief District Court Judge Kathy Hardcastle is stripping District Judge Elizabeth Halverson's docket of criminal cases.” Because of difficulties with transferring individual cases, all of Judge Halverson’s current caseload will be transferred to newly appointed Judge David Barker. The cases originally assigned to Barker will go to another new appointee, Judge Michael Villani. Halverson will receive the civil cases originally assigned to Villani. The change is effective Monday.
Hardcastle explains the move as an opportunity to allow Halverson to gain experience. Earlier in the year, Halverson had difficulties in criminal cases due to her speaking to deliberating jurors outside the presence of counsel. Three veteran judges, Sally Loehrer, Stewart Bell, and Art Richie, had been appointed to mentor Halverson. They recommended her caseload be reduced.
Halverson, however, calls the move “just more of the punitive measures I’ve had to endure,” apparently referencing her close election battle with the Chief Judge’s husband in a race for a Family Court judgeship in 2004. After losing narrowing in that election, Halverson won her District Court seat in 2006.
