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District Attorney's office requests funding for additional deputy DAs amid heavy caseloads
Summary
Melina Johnson of the District Attorney's Office urged the Board to fund two deputy DA hires to address heavy caseloads — including 12 open murder cases and individual attorney loads of 400–600 cases — and was directed to work with Finance on budget details.
Melina Johnson of the Klamath County District Attorney's Office told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that the office needs additional deputy district attorneys to handle an unusually heavy caseload.
Johnson said the office is managing 12 open murder cases while only three attorneys are qualified to try those cases. "The office currently manages 12 open murder cases, with only three attorneys qualified to try them," she said. Individual attorney caseloads, she added, range from roughly 400 to 600 cases.
Johnson described two applicants and proposed hire packages: one candidate for a Deputy DA 2 position at a Step 3 salary with an $8,000 signing bonus and moving-expense assistance, and a second, entry-level hire with a salary listed at $84,593 and a potential bonus pending clarification. She told the board the current budget does not account for hiring two additional DDAs but identified possible offsets, including savings from a vacant investigator position, personnel cost reductions and higher-than-expected carryover funds.
Commissioners discussed the need to reduce overtime and improve case management and expressed support for moving forward. The Board directed Johnson to work with Finance to identify budget details and options for funding at least one new position.
Next steps: Johnson will continue budget discussions with Finance to clarify costs, bonuses and whether available personnel savings and carryover can support hiring. The Board did not take a formal vote on personnel funding during the Jan. 20 meeting.
Sources: Remarks by Melina Johnson to the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20, 2026; meeting transcript.
