Maine’s courts are woefully underfunded and it shows.

Security is lax, and long waits and crowded dockets delay justice, especially for businesses.

According to Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, the state ranks last in the country for per capita spending on the judiciary.

Imagine sitting in court every day, witnessing as lives unravel. Emotions often run high. We’ve been in courtrooms seething with anger and frustration. Now imagine having to wonder if the distraught father of an abused child or the unhinged person struggling through a contentious divorce and custody fight might have a gun, knife or bomb tucked away, waiting on the chance to administer his or her own justice.

It’s a extreme scenario. But it’s played out around the country.

The judiciary budget for 2005 was about $54 million. Two items that are part of the governor’s supplemental budget would give that a boost by increasing funding for court security and creating a Consumer and Commercial Court.

Both ideas deserve support.

The first would appropriate $1.28 million to create the business court and includes money for four new judges and support staff and some improved security. The second would provide $300,000 for security. Two of the new judges would specifically handle business matters; the other two would help reduce the caseload backed up in the system.

Because the courts must place a priority on the most serious criminal cases first, many family law and business cases go months without resolution. The delay can make bad situations worse, and promotes instability for families and businesses alike. By creating a separate business court and increasing the number of state judges from 56 to 60, cases could be heard more quickly and people can get on with their lives.

Both Gov. Baldacci and Speaker of the House John Richardson support the funding of the business court, but inclusion of the money in the final budget is not assured. The Appropriations Committee will take up the issue today at 1 p.m.

Maine hasn’t invested enough in its judiciary. The Legislature has a chance to correct that error this session.