Yamhill County prosecutor outlines staffing shortfalls, case work and limited success under House Bill 4002 deflection program

Kate Lynch, representing the Yamhill County district attorney's office, briefed the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners during the board's March 20 formal session on staffing, casework and implementation of House Bill 4002 programs.

Lynch told the commissioners the office currently has 14 funded deputy district attorney (DDA) positions, 15 funded support-staff positions and three funded CBA positions, but that she submitted a balanced budget that temporarily cuts two DDA positions. She said she will return next month requesting those positions be restored.

Why it matters: Lynch said the lost prosecutor positions are concentrated in misdemeanor prosecution work, including DUII cases, and that prosecutorial capacity affects public-safety workloads and the office's ability to provide regular training to law enforcement on changing search-and-seizure law.

Lynch summarized recent casework and outcomes. Notable results included State v. Burnt (the “MAC RV” fraud case), in which she…