In a move that may not sit well with local barristers, Pierce County Council members today voted unanimously to dissolve the Superior Court Judge position held by Michael Hecht. He announced his resignation effective Nov. 16 following his felony conviction last week.

The ordinance passed dissolves Department 9 of Superior Court effective when Hecht's resignation takes effect and shifts the department's $19,000 in remaining 2009 funds to hiring pro-tem judges so cases will continue to be heard.

Council Chairman Roger Bush said, "Eliminating this vacant position prevents us from making more drastic budget reductions later on."
 
Ever-dropping tax revenues are putting the county's public-safety departments at risk of reductions through the remainder of 2009, Bush said. Reallocating funds from Hecht's position will free-up money for pro-tem judge help that was unavailable while he was drawing a salary from Pierce County but unable to carry out his duties.

Presiding Superior Court Judge Bryan Cushcoff in announcing that resignation said he looked forward to the governor's appointment of a new judge "who can help shoulder the heavy workload in Pierce County Superior Court."

State law sets the maximum number of Superior Court judges in each county, though their costs are shared by state and local government. Pierce County's maximum number is 24; there will be 21 after the council ordinance takes effect.