Valentine, who is an attorney, said he recalls judges 30 years ago. "These judges had been at the peak of their careers," he said, adding most had made their fortunes and wanted to give back to the community. "They were the best and the brightest," said Valentine. Now, many judges have but 10 years legal experience under their belt, and that troubles him.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. supports the 11 percent pay increase for judges and increased funding for the Guardian Ad Litem's Office in his proposed budget.

Durham also asked for lawmakers' support for a $1.7 million increase for the Utah Guardian Ad Litem's Office, which represents children in court proceedings. The office's current budget is around $4 million, court officials said.

There is also a need to invest in drug courts, she said, which have been established, for the first time, in every judicial district. But court officials say there are people who qualify for drug court who don't get in because of a lack of space. Given that an estimated 80 to 90 percent of all criminal cases are tied to substance abuse, it is a serious issue, Durham said.

"The tragedy of drug and alcohol addiction, with its manifestations in criminal activity, poverty, neglect and abused children, destroyed families and huge burdens on our economy and public institutions, continues to challenge all of our aspirations for better, safer communities," Durham said.

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