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District attorney authorized to hire an assistant prosecutor using SB22 funds to address rising juvenile caseloads
Summary
The court authorized the criminal district attorney to hire an assistant district attorney funded from SB22 grant funds to handle rising juvenile caseloads; DA provided multi‑year caseload figures to justify the request.
The Kendall County Commissioners Court on May 13 authorized the Criminal District Attorney to hire an assistant district attorney using SB22 funds (special prosecutors funds) to address an increase in juvenile dockets and to provide interim capacity ahead of the October arrival of a new court.
Criminal District Attorney Nicole Bishop told the court juvenile filings have risen substantially since 2020: 14 juvenile cases in 2020, 27 in 2021, 34 in 2022, 68 in 2024 and the office is on track for roughly 100 juvenile cases in the current year if trends continue. Bishop said the position will allow the office to reassign an existing attorney into juvenile work and hire a misdemeanor prosecutor to cover the reallocated caseload. She said SB22 funds (approximately $175,000 annually) can support the position through the current fiscal year and into the next budget cycle; she will return to the court during budgeting to request permanent support if needed.
The judge moved to authorize hiring an assistant district attorney using SB22 funds; the motion passed 5‑0. Bishop said if county general funds are not approved in the next budget cycle, she will continue the position on SB22 funding as permitted by statute.
The court recorded concern about long‑term staffing costs but confirmed the DA’s office may use SB22 funds and will be required to seek future allocation through the normal budget process if the position is to continue after grant funds are expended.
