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Franklin County approves dedicated discovery unit, adds four prosecutors to address backlog
Summary
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a transfer to add four assistant prosecuting attorneys to create a centralized discovery unit after the prosecutor warned of 2,105 pending discovery requests and growing digital evidence demands.
Franklin County on Tuesday approved a transfer to add four full‑time assistant prosecuting attorneys to a new centralized discovery unit aimed at reducing a backlog of outstanding discovery requests.
Prosecutor Shayla Favor told the board that changes to Ohio law and rules — including recent legislative and procedural reforms — have increased the volume and complexity of discovery. “As of March 27, Franklin County has 2,105 pending discovery requests,” Favor said, and the office also is managing 281 pending murder and aggravated‑murder cases in adult court.
Favor argued the unit would centralize evidence processing, improve the timeliness and completeness of exchanges with defense counsel, and reduce pretrial detention times. She said the discovery work increasingly involves large volumes of digital files and surveillance footage that require staff time and technological support.
Commissioners asked for details about the staffing and budgeting that produced the request for four positions. The board noted the measure would be a step toward shortening continuances, reducing delays that can erode witness memory and create other downstream costs, and restoring public confidence in timely prosecutions.
The board approved the measure. The commissioners noted the total first‑year cost for the four positions at the time of the meeting was $383,005.96; that figure was discussed by staff during the session. President Crowley and other commissioners expressed support, saying faster discovery responses would help move cases more quickly through the system.
Outcome: The motion to adopt Resolution 25825 carried and the county will add four assistant prosecuting attorneys to establish a discovery unit. The office said it would continue to reorganize internally to maximize the impact of the new positions.
What’s next: Implementation and staffing, including recruitment and procurement of necessary technology and equipment, will follow per the prosecutor’s office and county human resources processes.
