Total # Of Cases-271: 265 Criminal And 17 Civil Cases
PHOTO: The Circuit Court, Judge Joe Barkon
By King Brown ,Sarwahking@gmail.com
BUCHANAN, Liberia- The Seven Magisterial and Traffic Courts of Grand Bassa County are set to tackle a significant caseload this August Term, with 127 cases on the docket, the most of which are criminal in nature.
Court records reveal that 121 of the cases scheduled for the August term are criminal, leaving only six classified as civil matters. This represents a notable decrease from the February term, where the courts handled 282 cases, comprising 265 Criminal and 17 Civil cases. During the February term, 144 criminal cases and 11 civil cases were resolved.
On Monday, August 12, 2024, during the opening of the August term at the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Upper Buchanan, Judge Joe Barkon disclosed that the court is gearing up to address 95 cases this term, encompassing both criminal and civil matters.
Reflecting on the court’s previous workload, Judge Barkon highlighted that during the May term, 99 cases were on the docket, but only four criminal cases and two civil cases were concluded.
As the August term progresses, Judge Barkon acknowledged the immense challenge the court faces in managing such a substantial number of cases, particularly given the overwhelming number of criminal cases.
The Judge’s remarks underscored the ongoing strain on the county’s judicial system, which continues to grapple with a high volume of unresolved matters.
The consistent influx of criminal cases reflects the broader challenges within the justice system in Grand Bassa County. With fewer cases being resolved in each term, the burden on the judiciary continues to grow, raising concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of legal proceedings in the region.
As the court works through this term’s docket, the outcome will likely influence the approach to future terms, particularly in how the judiciary plans to balance and expedite both criminal and civil matters in Grand Bassa County.