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Public Defender asks for four positions, citing caseload and turnover pressures
Summary
The DeKalb County Public Defender requested two attorneys, one investigator and one administrative position — with full benefits — to reduce caseload stress that drives turnover and lengthens case resolution times.
The DeKalb County Public Defender asked the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee on Feb. 13 for four additional positions — two attorneys, one investigator and one administrative staffer — and for those positions to be funded with benefits.
The office said it currently employs about 72 attorneys and handles roughly 80% of county criminal cases across all courts. The public defender explained high caseloads and compassion fatigue are leading to turnover; the office recently lost a senior attorney and said candidates often leave for private-practice roles that pay more with less stress.
The defender’s request is intended to ease caseload pressure, reduce attorney burnout and shorten pretrial and case-processing times. The presenter said the total cost of the request with benefits is about $4,451,008.73, which includes salary and associated benefits for the requested positions.
Committee members asked about hiring timelines and the applicant pool; the public defender said hiring timelines vary by season and that law graduates are an active recruitment pool during late spring and early summer. Commissioners also emphasized that funding the positions with benefits would make them more competitive in recruiting and retention.
No formal vote occurred; the request was presented for budget consideration and the office agreed to send supporting materials to the committee.
