US judge seeks out-of-state help to stem backlog

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's top federal judge is enlisting help from out-of-state colleagues to preside over a backlog of civil cases created by a shortage of U.S. District judges.

The Connecticut Post reports that Chief U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson has reached out to the chairman of the federal court system's assignments committee.

Nine judges have responded to calls for help. They've come from Ohio, Kentucky, Montana, New York City and South Dakota.

Judge Peter C. Dorsey died in January, another judge is ill, a the promotion of Judge Christopher Droney to the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals created a vacancy and a senior judge is no longer taking criminal cases or conducting civil trials.

In addition, numerous criminal cases are creating a backlog of civil lawsuits.

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Information from: Connecticut Post