The chief justice and senior judicial staff gave the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee an overview of New Hampshire’s judicial branch, its caseloads and near‑term operational priorities.

The presentation described the judicial structure — two trial courts (circuit and superior), a single appellate court and an Administrative Office of the Courts that supports judges and staff across the state — and how recent changes have reshaped where cases are heard. “We have 2 trial courts, the circuit court and the superior court. We have 1 appellate court which is the supreme court, and all 3 courts are supported by the administrative office of the courts,” the chief justice said.

The committee was given 2023 caseload figures showing approximately 102,000 matters in the trial courts that year, including roughly 45,000 criminal cases handled in the circuit court (primarily misdemeanors) and about 87,100 criminal matters in the superior court (including felonies). The judicial presentation noted that those circuit court numbers will change as the state implements a “felonies‑first” case processing policy that shifts some filings to the superior court.

The judiciary also described the 2011 creation of the unified circuit court (which combined district, probate and family divisions), the number and distribution of judgeships (the circuit court is authorized for 49 full‑time judges plus part‑time, per diem and senior judicial officers; the superior court is authorized for 22 associate justices and one chief justice) and the Supreme Court’s role overseeing attorney discipline and bar admissions in New Hampshire’s unified bar system.

The branch announced a new magistrate program that added three magistrates who began service Jan. 1 and began weekend duty immediately; their assigned duties were created by administrative order of the Supreme Court and include weekend coverage to handle matters the magistrates are authorized to address. The chief justice said the magistrates were trained by sitting judges and are alternating weekend coverage slots while integrating into weekday courtroom duties.

Court leaders identified safety and security as their top operational concern. The chief justice said courthouse safety “is the issue that keeps me up at night more than any other,” noting the branch is undertaking site‑by‑site physical security assessments funded in part by ARPA dollars the governor’s office made available. The presentation described court security officers employed by the judicial branch and a partnership with county sheriffs that provides security in superior courts.

Judicial staff also highlighted several modernization efforts: an electronic evidence presentation platform moving forward in superior court, broader use of text reminders and automated notices to reduce failures to appear, and a record‑high number of appellate dispositions for 2024 (752 dispositions and 71 opinions issued). The administrative office’s communications and legal support functions were identified as the operational backbone for these initiatives.

Committee members were offered judicial contacts for follow‑up questions and told the judiciary stands ready to assist legislators drafting bills that could affect court operations.

Looking ahead, the judiciary emphasized courthouse security assessments, continuing rollout of electronic evidence protocols and monitoring the magistrate program’s effects on weekend and misdemeanor workflows.

The presentation materials the judiciary circulated were left with committee members for further review.