City leaders in Birmingham are raising serious concerns about the growing backlog of criminal court cases, which is leaving many families waiting years for justice. The backlog of these cases was addressed at Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, according to an ABC33/40 report.

Mayor Randall Woodfin and Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn addressed the issue, warning that delays in the court system are impacting public safety and hindering efforts to hold violent offenders accountable.

According to city officials, some murder trials in Jefferson County’s 10th Judicial Circuit are taking as long as three to four years to reach the courtroom. The prolonged delays have frustrated victims’ families and caused significant strain on the justice system. Both Woodfin and O’Quinn made it clear that this backlog is beyond the city’s control, placing responsibility on state officials to help alleviate the situation.

Woodfin explained that discussions are underway to secure more resources from state lawmakers in Montgomery. He stressed that without additional support, the backlog will only grow. One proposed solution is the implementation of a “rocket docket,” a fast-track system designed to prioritize serious cases and expedite their progress through the courts. Another key recommendation is appointing at least two additional judges to focus solely on criminal cases in Jefferson County.

Woodfin acknowledged that reducing the delays requires action from the state, not just at the local level. The mayor remains hopeful that ongoing conversations with state officials will lead to meaningful change. However, he cautioned that until concrete steps are taken, families affected by these delays will continue to face uncertainty and frustration for years to come.

Without immediate intervention, the criminal court backlog will remain a major public safety hazard for Birmingham.