The Cost of Justice

.....and money for treatment is.....??

As counties across Colorado finalize their budgets for 2008, they are preparing to earmark millions of dollars in new criminal justice spending - money that will pay for new law officers, courtrooms and prosecutors.

Part of the spending is the inevitable consequence of a growing population and continuing efforts to prevent crime and get tough when it occurs. And part of it is the result of the state's unprecedented plan to hire 43 new judges over the next three years - a move that will have the ripple effect of forcing sheriffs and district attorneys to hire people to staff new courtrooms.

"It's a fight to stay current with the growth, and it's everywhere," said Don Christensen, executive director of County Sheriffs of Colorado. "It's a constant pressure."

Rocky Mountain News