Harder, Matsui Lead Effort to Add Judges to Eastern District of California

Press Release

Today, Reps. Josh Harder (CA-10) and Doris Matsui (CA-06) led two letters urging immediate remedies to the ongoing judge shortage in the Eastern District of California. In the Rep. Harder-led letter addressed to the Biden Administration, he urges the president to prioritize appointing two judges to the vacant seats in the Eastern District of California in order to immediately remedy the crippling judge shortage in the region.

The Eastern District of California is one of the largest judicial districts in the country with over eight million residents and over 87,000 square miles of land, yet there are only six permanent judgeships and two seats that have been vacant for more than a year. The court currently ranks 93 out of 94 for time to close criminal cases, with the median time from filing to disposition for criminal felony cases taking almost two years.

"No one should have to wait years to have their case heard out in court," said Rep. Harder. "The Constitution promises every American the right to a speedy trial, and I'm working to ensure everyone in the Valley experiences that reality when they're seeking justice."

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