For over eight months, residents of Rivergee County have been left without a functioning magisterial court in Jarkaken, as the local judiciary has failed to appoint a new magistrate or address the deteriorating condition of the court facilities. The closure has left many in the community struggling to access justice, with fears growing over unchecked crime and legal disputes piling up unresolved.
Established in June 2015 in the Chedepo Administrative District, the Jarkaken Magisterial Court was meant to serve as a vital legal resource for the people of Rivergee. However, since the departure of former magistrate Franklin Myers, who was promoted to Public Defender, no replacement has been assigned.
With no magistrate to preside over cases, the court has effectively been abandoned. Shockingly, court functions have been temporarily relocated to a private residence, which locals say is in poor condition and unfit for legal proceedings.
Community elders have repeatedly reached out to the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Fish Town, sending multiple written requests for a new magistrate. Yet, their appeals have gone unanswered, leaving the people of Jarkaken in a legal vacuum.
“We feel forgotten,” said one local elder, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. “Without a functioning court, people take matters into their own hands. Theft, land disputes, and even drug smuggling are becoming bigger problems because there’s no authority to hold anyone accountable.”
Residents say the absence of a magistrate has emboldened criminals, with reports of theft and illicit activities increasing. Many worry that if the court remains closed, the situation could worsen, undermining trust in the justice system.
“How can we believe in the rule of law when our own court has been abandoned?” asked a local business owner. “We need action now before things spiral out of control.”
As the next judicial term approaches, the people of Rivergee County are urging the judiciary to act swiftly. They demand the immediate appointment of a new magistrate and the restoration of proper court facilities to ensure justice is no longer delayed, or denied.
For now, the doors of the Jarkaken Magisterial Court remain closed, leaving an entire community waiting for the justice they deserve.
