Monterey County DA seeks funding for five attorneys amid staffing crisis

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors faced a critical moment during the budget hearings on May 28, 2025, as the District Attorney's office highlighted severe staffing shortages that threaten public safety and case management. District Attorney Janine Pacioni and Chief Assistant Berkeley Brannon presented a stark picture of their office's struggles, revealing a backlog of 1,700 cases due to the unfilled positions of nine attorneys, alongside vacancies for legal secretaries and victim advocates.

Pacioni emphasized the urgent need for funding to hire five deputy district attorneys, warning that without these positions, essential services would be cut, including the handling of lifer hearings and the management of misdemeanor cases. "We are already behind on our filing," she stated, underscoring the unsustainable nature of their current operations. The office is currently operating with a 20% shortage in attorney staff, leading to delays that could result in the dismissal of cases as statutes of limitations expire.

Brannon pointed out that the office's reliance on grants for funding has diverted resources away from core responsibilities, leaving them unable to compete in the job market for qualified attorneys. "We have a continuous recruitment process, but we can't fill these positions," he explained, highlighting the irony of a recent salary survey that was intended to improve recruitment but has not yielded results.

The discussion also touched on the implications of Proposition 36, which aims to address drug-related crimes. Supervisor Alejo raised concerns about the lack of state funding for district attorney offices to manage the increased workload stemming from this initiative. Both Pacioni and Brannon confirmed that the funding being discussed at the state level is primarily directed toward social services, leaving local DA offices to absorb the additional responsibilities without financial support.

As the board deliberates on the budget, the DA's office is urging a freeze on unfilled positions rather than outright cuts, emphasizing that the current staffing crisis could have dire consequences for the community's safety and the justice system's integrity. The outcome of these budget discussions will be pivotal in determining the future effectiveness of the Monterey County District Attorney's office.