State's attorney reports rising caseload, juvenile diversion growth and drug-related prosecutions

Lincoln County State's Attorney Tom Wollman told commissioners on March 25 that the office has seen sustained caseload growth since 2022, increases in felony and civil filings, and a notable rise in drug-related matters, especially methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Wollman said total filings across circuit and civil court rose substantially from 2022 through 2024 (an aggregate increase he described in the neighborhood of 17% to 24% depending on case class). The office is handling several high-profile homicide cases and said federal and state prosecutions (including Internet Crimes Against Children investigations worked by the sheriff's office) have contributed to workload.

Wollman reviewed office staffing (23 employees total, including nine attorneys and 14 support staff) and noted turnover related to paralegals going to law school and an attorney accepting a judgeship. He said the office recently filled a victim-witness assistant vacancy and is actively recruiting for an additional attorney; he asked commissioners to consider future requests for another attorney, paralegal or investigator and possibly an additional vehicle to handle digital-forensics and witness work.

On substance abuse, Wollman said his courtroom caseload is now driven largely by methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, supplanting earlier alcohol-driven crime patterns. He described fentanyl's lethality, the emergence of carfentanyl and next-generation synthetic opioids and the resulting prosecutions and overdose cases.

Wollman praised the juvenile diversion coordinator role implemented in late 2023 and said it produced 71 successful diversions last year; the program reduces court caseloads and generates state juvenile-diversion incentive revenue. He also said administrative appeals and habeas filings have increased and asked commissioners to consider staffing and equipment needs when planning for 2026 and the move to the new Justice Center.