A FULL-TIME JUDGE

Southeast Missouri needs a full-time federal district judge in Cape Girardeau. The growing caseload underscores the necessity.

On any given day there are 300 civil cases and about 50 criminal cases pending in the federal court in Cape Girardeau. Criminal cases are handled first, which often crowds out the civil docket. It can sometimes take up to two years for a civil case to be heard by a district judge. The wait is too long.

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. may soon take what is called senior status, which means he could take as few or as many cases as he wants. The Cape Girardeau native, who currently works in St. Louis, could choose to work here, which could ease some of the backlog. It has been done before. District Judge Kenneth Wangelin, who assumed senior status in 1983, took over the docket in Cape Girardeau until his death in 1987.

But the caseload has grown tremendously since the late 1980s, thanks in part to the opening of a satellite office for the U.S. attorney in Cape Girardeau in November 1991. This office brought a greater federal law enforcement presence to Southeast Missouri to battle such crimes as drug trafficking.

Also in late 1991, the first full-time federal magistrate was sworn in for Cape Girardeau.

Limbaugh is looking out for Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri. He doesn't want his decision on senior status to block the appointment of a permanent sitting judge here. His concern for Cape Girardeau is certainly appreciated.

The eight federal judges in the district could decide within 30 days whether to recommend a the appointment of an additional judge.

Limbaugh feels there are enough civil and criminal cases filed in federal court in Cape Girardeau to warrant a full-time district judge. His opinion no doubt will carry enough weight with the other judges so that federal justice can speed up in Southeast Missouri.