Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath filed for re-election today. McGrath is running for a second 8-year term as the leader of the state’s judicial branch. If elected, McGrath says he would address the rapidly increasing caseloads burdening Montana’s courts.
"We need to ask the legislature for more judges at the trial court level, particularly in our larger communities, Billings and Missoula, where our courts are incredibly crowded."
McGrath also said Montanans are facing a critical problem with access to the judicial system.
"The biggest challenge that the judicial system has now really is access to courts. We have a lot people who can’t afford an attorney, a lot of people who can’t get an attorney."
McGrath was first elected Chief Justice in 2008, following two terms as Montana’s Attorney General. He was elected to five terms as Lewis and Clark County Attorney, staring in 1982.
As of Thursday, McGrath is the only candidate seeking the chief justice position.