MONROE - Green County District Attorney will request at least another half-time district attorney position by Sept. 1.
In 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Administration study showed that Green County needed 2.88 district attorneys. That number was higher than the 2006 number of 2.77.
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman said a recent study that examined caseloads and case types filed in Green County shows there is a need for almost one more full-time position in his office.
There is one assistant district attorney, Jeff Kohl, in the Green County District Attorney's office.
Luhman said the state does its assessment every two years.
The trend toward more cases being filed and heard continues.
Luhman said the number of cases his department files continues to increase. About 10 years ago the district attorney's office felony cases increased from 90 a year to 120 a year. In 2007 there were more than 180 felony cases filed.
There is also another reason why Luhman said the office needs another employee.
The state generally recommends two district attorneys for every judge in the county. Since Green County will have a second full-time judge next year, it makes sense that there will be more cases going to trial. That will increase the workload in the district attorney's office.
"You'll see an increase in how much time the district attorneys spend in court," Luhman said. "A half-time position would give us more flexibility."
An extra person in the office would allow for more time to write briefs, view motions and do more research as well as prosecute cases more effectively.
The district attorney's office has an intern this summer and has had interns in the past. The interns free up time for Luhman and Kohl to work on other things, Luhman said.
Luhman will make his request to the Wisconsin Department of Administration. It will take several weeks before he knows if his request is approved.
In 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Administration study showed that Green County needed 2.88 district attorneys. That number was higher than the 2006 number of 2.77.
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman said a recent study that examined caseloads and case types filed in Green County shows there is a need for almost one more full-time position in his office.
There is one assistant district attorney, Jeff Kohl, in the Green County District Attorney's office.
Luhman said the state does its assessment every two years.
The trend toward more cases being filed and heard continues.
Luhman said the number of cases his department files continues to increase. About 10 years ago the district attorney's office felony cases increased from 90 a year to 120 a year. In 2007 there were more than 180 felony cases filed.
There is also another reason why Luhman said the office needs another employee.
The state generally recommends two district attorneys for every judge in the county. Since Green County will have a second full-time judge next year, it makes sense that there will be more cases going to trial. That will increase the workload in the district attorney's office.
"You'll see an increase in how much time the district attorneys spend in court," Luhman said. "A half-time position would give us more flexibility."
An extra person in the office would allow for more time to write briefs, view motions and do more research as well as prosecute cases more effectively.
The district attorney's office has an intern this summer and has had interns in the past. The interns free up time for Luhman and Kohl to work on other things, Luhman said.
Luhman will make his request to the Wisconsin Department of Administration. It will take several weeks before he knows if his request is approved.