TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Supreme Court is asking for more judges.
The high court on Thursday formally asked the state Legislature for 24 new judgeships across the state.
The court is asking for one new circuit judgeship in the central Florida judicial circuit covering Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.
The justices say the 5th Judicial Circuit needs an additional judge because caseloads are growing quickly in that region.
They also certified the need for 23 new county judgeships in seven other counties, saying more county judges are needed to deal with an increase in DUI cases and small claims court filings.
There's no guarantee legislators will grant the request. Since the recession, state lawmakers have not set aside more money to hire new trial judges.
