County courts better than state average in public satisfaction

Overall public satisfaction with St. Joseph County Trial Courts was greater than the average of county courts statewide, according to Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman.
The results are based on a six-question, public-satisfaction survey administered at the behest of the State Court Administrative Office. Stutesman included links to the survey results as part of his annual Circuit Court report presented Tuesday to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners.
According to the survey, 74 percent of the respondents in St. Joseph County strongly agreed that they were able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time, compared to 58 percent statewide.
Eighty-six percent of the local replies indicated they strongly agreed that they were treated with courtesy and respect by court staff, better than the 71 percent statewide figure.
Asked if their case was handled fairly, 71 percent of the St. Joseph County respondents strongly agreed, while only 56 percent across the state felt the same.
Also, 82 percent strongly agreed that they were treated with courtesy and respect by court officials. Just 56 percent strongly agreed statewide.