Judge Les Hatch knows the risk that a court is taking when cases pile up in a backlog—like what’s happening now because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Litigators' Corner. Credit: Chris Nicholls/ALM Credit: Chris Nicholls/ALM

As time passes, witnesses’ memories are not as crisp, and there are even times witnesses—or parties themselves—are nearing death or some other incapacity, said Hatch, who presides over Lubbock County’s 237th District Court.