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Fresno County prosecutors cite high caseloads and 13 vacancies as strain on prosecutions
Summary
Assistant District Attorney Steve Wright told supervisors the DA's office is carrying heavy caseloads, has 13 deputy district attorney vacancies and faces recruitment pressures as prosecutors seek higher pay and telework elsewhere.
The Fresno County District Attorney's Office told the Board of Supervisors that state criminal law changes, rising caseloads and staffing shortages are increasing pressure on local prosecutors.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Wright said the office's recommended FY 25'6 budget lists total appropriations of $54,707,827 and revenues of $19,258,817, leaving a net county cost of $35,449,010. Wright framed recent state policy changes as a driver of rising workloads: "For at least the past 10 years'the governor and the legislature of the state of California have continued to author laws and support propositions under the guise of criminal justice reform that have been dismantling the criminal justice system," he said.
Wright and DA business manager Steve Rusconi told supervisors the office currently has 13 deputy DA vacancies of roughly 107 attorney positions, and that recruitment and retention remain acute problems. Wright said several experienced prosecutors left for the Fresno city attorney's office and other employers that offered higher pay and telework options; departing prosecutors reported pay increases of $30,000 to $50,000.
The DA's office also described work tied to post‑conviction law changes: more hearings for resentencing and expanded opportunities for inmates to seek reduced sentences increases staff time on post‑conviction matters. Wright said that each resentencing or post‑conviction hearing often requires an assigned prosecutor to research, prepare opposition briefs and appear at multiple hearings.
On fentanyl prosecutions, Wright said the office has prioritized cases that involve deaths and has secured a second‑degree murder conviction in at least one fentanyl death case; another case is pending.
Board discussion focused on salary competitiveness and filling vacancies. Supervisors urged DA leadership to provide a detailed plan of the number of prosecutors needed and the salary adjustments required to keep the office fully staffed.
Ending: Wright said the DA's office had made some budget cuts but believes the recommended budget is workable for the coming year; he and Rusconi said they stand ready to provide follow up information requested by the board.
