A long-sought expansion of the circuit court for Deschutes County was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Kate Brown.

House Bill 3011 authorized two new judges for the 11th Judicial District, which covers Deschutes County.

The governor’s approval will increase the number of judges from seven to nine beginning Jan. 1.

The legislature appropriated nearly $1.59 million for the two judgeships, plus six new full-time support positions.

Immediately after signing the bill into law, Brown issued a call for applications to fill the positions.

The staff that will include two judicial assistants, two courtroom clerks, and two back-office clerks would begin work on Nov. 1. 

The judges would take up their seats on the court on Jan. 1. According to the state website, the judges are paid just under $150,000 per year.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel and the county’s legislative delegation had sought the expansion in recent sessions to offset the growing backlog of cases in the rapidly growing district.

Hummel argued that delays in the courts were bad for prosecutors and defense attorneys, alleged victims and defendants.

The two judgeships were a late addition to House Bill 3011, which covered a number of issues that lawmakers sought to fix in the final two days of the 2021 session. 

Brown’s announcement of the openings directed those interested in being appointed to the judgeships to mail — not hand deliver — a completed application to: Dustin Buehler, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE #254, Salem, OR 97301-4047.

To be considered, the application must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23. Forms emailed by 5 p.m. on that date will be considered if the original signed forms are postmarked by Aug. 23, but received later.

Brown’s announcement said she was encouraging applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

State law requires that at the time of appointment, the nominee must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Oregon and a member of the Oregon State Bar.

A law passed in 2019 added the requirement that the nominee live in the judicial district, or one directly adjacent, where they would serve. Counties in the district adjacent to Deschutes include Crook, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Linn, and Lane counties.

Requests for a form to apply and questions about the process should be directed to Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246 or shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. 

The judicial interest form is also available at bendbulletin.us/judges.

Questions regarding the support staff positions should be directed to the Oregon Judicial Department Human Resources Office at 503-986-5930 or by email to OJD.HRSD@ojd.state.or.us.