BLOOMSBURG — Judge Thomas James hopes in his next 10-year term to oversee a share of criminal cases in Montour County in addition to the civil cases he already handles.

“I’m in a position where I enjoy helping people,” James said. “The law is designed to solve problems and avoid problems.”

James, 61, is running for a second 10-year term as judge of Columbia and Montour counties. He is unopposed. He now handles general jurisdiction, including half of the criminal cases in Columbia County and all the malpractice cases in Montour County.

The Bloomsburg resident has given back a raise he would have received this year, which totaled about $5,400. He said he would continue that practice until the recession is over.

“I will give it back again this year,” he said. “The recession is over, but not for everyone.”

His pay this year would have been $161,850. Raises for judges are established by state law.

In addition, James said he would like to institute alternative dispute resolution, or a form of mediation, in the courtroom, which would cost less money, cause less anxiety and settle cases more easily.

“It’s too litigious today in society,” he said.

James was a lawyer for 25 years before he sought a judgeship. He was an attorney with James, Mihalik, Buehner and Leipold. A former public defender, litigation attorney and Columbia County solicitor, he is a graduate of Dickinson College and Dickinson School of Law. He is a former president of the Columbia-Montour Bar Association.

Since becoming judge, James has received his master’s degree in judicial studies from the University of Nevada and has sat on the state Conference of Trial Judges Education Committee.