Andrew P. Thomas the Maricopa County Attorney is a Nazi thug???? probably Original Article Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST Maricopa County Superior Court bracing for surge of trials MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Maricopa County Superior Court will need more judges to handle an expected surge of trials resulting from an increase of criminal cases filed by County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Judge Barbara Mundell, the county's top judge, said the court is considering adjusting its system so cases settle earlier in the process. Mundell said she also will also ask the county Board of Supervisors for more judges to help handle the increase. According to court statistics, there were 10,025 new cases filed in the first quarter of fiscal 2005-06, up almost 24 percent from the same period last year. "If it continues on the way it has, we'll probably have 40,000 cases in criminal court, up from the 35,000 that were filed last year," Mundell said. Thomas also has changed his policy toward a drug diversion program, which has resulted in about 300 more cases a month. The program called for first-time offenders in drug possession cases to either seek treatment or face charges, but people wouldn't seek treatment. The new policy requires a charge to be filed first and then dropped only if the defendant seeks treatment, so those cases generally never reach trial. County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said it doesn't matter to him how many cases Thomas files because he will erect more tents to house jailed defendants.