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Public defender urges modest pay increases to retain staff, warns of criminal-case workload trends
Summary
John Donnelly of the public defender's office asked commissioners to fully fund a small increase to salaries to help retain experienced attorneys, described turnover and training costs, and discussed caseload trends and jail population pressures affecting misdemeanor workloads.
John Donnelly of the circuit public defender's office told the commission the office is seeking a small budget increase, primarily for staff salaries, to retain experienced attorneys and avoid costly turnover. "It's hard to keep experienced veteran lawyers in our office," Donnelly said.
Donnelly described recent staff departures — one attorney left after about 20 years and another was recruited by the courthouse — and said the office is asking the commission to keep its salary request competitive. Commissioners noted the mayor's recommended budget reduced the request slightly (about $5,000, Donnelly said) and asked whether staffing is otherwise adequate; Donnelly said he expects vacancies to be filled shortly but urged sustained, competitive pay to retain seasoned staff.
Donnelly also addressed workload and case trends, telling the commission that state-court misdemeanor caseloads (shoplifting, trespass, petty theft and cases involving mental-health crises) remain a persistent challenge and that jail population and court demands have returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels. He said the office handles returned unspent funds from vacancies in some years and has historically worked with county finance when mid-year adjustments are needed.
Why it matters: the public defender's staffing, experience levels and pay affect the local criminal-justice system's capacity to provide counsel, case continuity, and timely representation. Commissioners asked for follow-up on the exact budget gap and Donnelly said he would continue to coordinate with finance staff.
Next steps: Donnelly will follow up with county finance on mid-year budget amendment options if needed and continue to update the commission on staffing and recruitment challenges.
