County Commissioners suggest interim solutions
Kendall County’s two state district judges are warning the courthouse is running out of room, but local leaders say for now there is no quick fix.
In fact, county commissioners said, it may be five years before another building can be added.
Kirsten B. Cohoon of the 451st and newly appointed Katherine McDaniel of the 498th district courts told county commissioners a lack of space and crowded conditions are jeopardizing judicial operations.
“We are going on all cylinders,” Cohoon said during a Kendall County Commissioners Court session May 5. “But hear me now when I say, pretty soon, we’re going to have to say, ‘We can’t have that trial because I don’t have space to have it.’
She added, “We’re going to get to a point where we’re going to have to be less efficient and effective, because we don’t have the space.” “We’re here to represent the citizens and provide them with access to justice. That is a big thing,” said McDaniel, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the new court in October. “If we can’t provide them with the avenue to serve as jurors, we’re not doing a good job.”
While commissioners said they understand concerns about needing more room, there currently are limitations regarding a solution.
“ This unfortunately is a long process,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Richard Chapman.
The commissioner added, “But as far as building a building, if we started today, said the planning starts today, you’re not going to move in for five years.”
“The way that we are … We can’t just wait five years,” Cohoon said. “We’ve got to do something in the interim.”
Chapman said there may be a “Band-Aids” approach for the county, including portable buildings and building out the courthouse second-floor patio for additional court space.
The Kendall County Courthouse’s two second floor courtrooms were built as a county court and a district court. When constructed, the caseload could fit within the two-court system.
Not anymore, the jurists told commissioners.
“We’re also … struggling because we don’t have an adequate courtroom” for the court’s juvenile caseload, McDaniel said.
It used to be the smaller courtroom would be shared, but now it’s housed solely for the 498th.
She added when the 451st is active in the larger courtroom, the 498th fails its public, plaintiffs, defendants and jurors.
“The jury room that I have seats six people. I am a district court judge. I will have juries with 12 people, 14 with two alternates. There’s no room at the inn,” McDaniel added.
Spacing problems are affecting more than just the courtrooms, Cohoon said, citing issues faced by the district clerk, the county clerk and the district attorney.
“It’s just growing, and there’s a lot more people,” Cohoon said.
She asked for a space analysis “ so we can address these immediate needs in your justice system.”
“We can’t just wait five years.”
— 451st state District Court Judge Kirsten Cohoon
