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Iowa justice: Judicial system is tackling racial disparity

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January 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court says the state is making progress in addressing racial disparity in its criminal justice system. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady says more than 700 judges, magistrates and other judicial branch staffers received training last year that helps them recognize implicit biases that may contribute to racial disparity. He says three Iowa counties are working on pilot projects that try to eliminate racial disparity in the juvenile justice system.

Cady spoke to the Iowa General Assembly on Wednesday during the annual Condition of the Judiciary address. The Judicial Branch is seeking more than $190 million in funding for the fiscal year that begins in July, a 4 percent increase. Gov. Terry Branstad recommended that request in his budget proposal released Tuesday.