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Judge says she wants it right
Kouros cites desire for perfection in explaining court case backlog
Post-Tribune (IN)
June 17, 2003
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy.portagelibrary.info/resources/doc/nb/news/0FF66D3686275114?p=AWNB
Lake Superior Court Criminal Division Judge Joan Kouros says her desire for perfection is responsible for a delay in processing cases that come before her, not because of inability or unwillingness to perform her duties.
Through her attorney Kevin McGoff, Kouros explained in court papers to the Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration her side of a case backlog in her courtroom that has put her judgeship in jeopardy.
Monday was the deadline for Kouros to submit a response to a Supreme Court petition to show cause as to why she should not be replaced with a judge pro tem.
In her response, McGoff states that Kouros carefully reviews everything emanating from her court.
Reviewing -- although her critics call it micro-managing -- includes calling probation officers to inquire if terms have been met; or rewriting orders that contain minor errors.
"These efforts to produce work that is without error have been the cause of the backlog in moving the flow of paperwork through the Court," McGoff states.
"Unlike other jurists this Court has had the unfortunate opportunity to sanction, Judge Kouros' is before this Court as a result of her desire to do everything correct.
"She is honest, her rulings are respected and she works evenings and weekends to fulfill her obligations to her office," McGoff states.
Kouros is under fire from the Supreme Court for repeated violations of a January 2001 order demanding she deal more effectively with the case backlog.
Following the Supreme Court's last inspection of Kouros' courtroom on April 21, the High Court cited in a petition that Kouros has not complied with its 2001 order requiring her to return files to the Lake County clerk's office within 48 hours.
Although she has developed a reputation for being stern and fair with defendants and attorneys who appear before her, she also has become known for keeping hundreds of case files in her possession.
The delays keep Kouros' orders from being recorded in the clerk's office.
The Supreme Court has cited instances in which arrest warrants had not been canceled or sentencing orders unrecorded for months.
In her brief to the Supreme Court, Kouros provided detailed explanations on specific cases in which a delay had occurred. She admitted to many of the allegations, but denied several.
She also states that a new method of transcribing and processing docket entries had just begun in February.
However, the four Lake Superior Court jurists told the Supreme Court that the new method was to have been put in place more than two years ago.
Kouros cites problems with repairing and installing dictation equipment in her courtroom.
Kouros also explained that some files recorded in the clerk's office as being checked out by her may be wrong, since there is no documentation.
McGoff said Kouros has met with jurists from equally busy courts and continues to receive instruction on the art of efficiently disposing of cases, while at the same time generating quality work product.
Lake Superior Court Juvenile Division Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura and Criminal Division Senior Judge Thomas Stefaniak have agreed to serve as mentors to Kouros and monitor the processing of paperwork.
McGoff also states that Kouros knows that the matter reflects negatively on her and the court.
"The judge is genuinely sorry and deeply regrets that her actions may have given citizens an unfavorable view of judges generally," McGoff states.
It is unknown when the Supreme Court plans to make a decision whether Kouros will remain on the bench.
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