Defender, Prosecutor Want Help County Commission Urged To Fund Hiring Of More Lawyers

The Kootenai County prosecutor and public defender argued their cases before the board of commissioners Thursday, pleading for more attorneys to help with overflowing caseloads.

But the verdict won’t be returned for some time.

The county is in the preliminary stages of setting its 1999 budget. Commissioners have warned that the budget will be tight, due to payments on the county’s new administration building and expansion of the justice building.

Commissioners also have sworn to hold the line on new staff, although some 28 positions have been requested by various departments, the bulk of them within the criminal justice system. The sheriff has requested two new deputies. District Court has requested two bailiffs and two security guards.

The trend continued Thursday as Prosector Bill Douglas asked for two new attorneys, two secretaries and a part-time investigator. Douglas was followed by Public Defender John Adams, who said he needs three new attorneys, two secretaries and a receptionist.

In addition to the new personnel, Douglas asked commissioners for voice mail systems, computers and camera equipment ($18,000), $10,000 for expert witnesses and $10,920 for a work-study intern.

But when pressed by commissioners to set his priorities, Douglas said he’d be happy if he received one new attorney and one secretary.

“I’d have to put the personnel as my priority,” Douglas said.

From 1996 to 1997, felony case filings rose 10 percent, from 825 to 915, according to District Court records. Drug cases made up the bulk of the increase, jumping 50 percent in the same time. The hiring of a fourth 1st District Court judge in January and the addition of four new courtrooms have added to the increased workload.

The caseload has stressed Adams’ office as well.

Deputy public defenders expect to be assigned 4,500 cases this year, up 1,300 from last year.

When commissioners explained how tight the 1999 budget is, Adams promptly slashed requests for new desks, bookcases and office chairs, cutting $4,800.

And Adams pushed for more staff, but said he could live with less than his original request.

“Realistically, we need one attorney, one secretary and one receptionist,” Adams said.

A new state program that would assist counties with public defense on capital cases and would handle all felony appeals is scheduled to begin later this year. One attorney in Adams’ office spends 85 percent of his time doing nothing but appellate work, Adams said.

The new program could enable that attorney to take on a full load of trial work instead, Adams said.