Lea County will issue RFP to hire contract prosecutors to ease DA caseloads

The Lea County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 23 to direct county staff to issue a request for proposals to hire up to two contract attorneys to assist the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Diana Luce told the commission the district faces a staffing shortage that leaves prosecutors handling extremely high caseloads. "I have 6 total in the district," she said, adding that some prosecutors carry roughly 300 cases. Luce and commissioners said contracted assistant special prosecutors would be appointed, provided office space and access to the district’s case management system and would have smaller, dedicated caseloads to help move cases toward timely resolution.

The resolution authorizes contracts of up to two years for independent contractors; compensation may include health insurance and reimbursable relocation expenses. Proponents argued the county can pay competitive market salaries outside the statewide DA pay schedule, which could help recruit experienced prosecutors who would be dedicated to complex cases such as sex‑crimes and other felony prosecutions.

Commissioners debated the policy implications, with some members saying it is regrettable the county must step in where state resources are limited, but concluding the measure is intended to protect public safety and speed prosecutions locally. After public comment and a second, the board voted in favor of issuing the RFP.

The county will publish the RFP and return to the commission with recommended contract terms and any necessary agreements. The action does not create county employee positions; contractors will be appointed as assistant special prosecutors under the district attorney’s office and will prosecute cases arising in Lea County.

What happens next: County staff will prepare and release the RFP and bring responses and recommended contract terms back to the commission for approval.