Workload in Tucson impacted by inadequate Yuma facility
TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Monday will announce a major step forward in the quest for funding of a new federal courthouse in Yuma.
Deficiencies with the existing facility in Yuma have a direct impact on Tucson, where the federal courthouse has been forced to hear cases that cannot be handled in Yuma.
Federal judicial authorities in both cities have been hit hard with a rise in felony cases, many associated with illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Yuma’s courthouse was built in 1992, when only 826 cases were heard there. That number has since grown to more than 4,000 cases per year and the facility is not equipped to meet this additional demand.
The new courthouse will accommodate the high number of cases and will relieve the additional burden that has been placed on the court in Tucson.
Giffords has worked since last year to secure funding for the badly-needed courthouse in Yuma. As a result of her efforts, $28 million in federal stimulus funds have been set aside for the facility.
Formal announcement of this step forward will be made by the congresswoman at a 10 a.m. press conference in Tucson. Joining her will be Chief Judge John Roll of the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona.
“The crisis situation on Arizona’s border has had a profound impact on the workload of the federal judiciary all across our state,” said Giffords. “Judges and their support staffs are overwhelmed. Funding for a new courthouse in Yuma will alleviate some of the burden felt in Tucson.”
Giffords teamed up with her Arizona colleague, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, to make sure the needs of the federal judiciary in Southern Arizona are met. Together they worked closely with House budget writers, the General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget.
Construction on the new Yuma courthouse is expected to begin later this year. The courthouse will be built on the site of the old Arizona National Guard Armory along the Colorado River.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Chief Judge John Roll announce funding for new federal courthouse in Yuma
WHEN: 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 25
WHERE: Evo A. DeConcini U.S. Courthouse, 405 W. Congress St., third-floor conference room