Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Attorney topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newly appointed Richland County district attorney outlines staffing plans and diversion goals
Summary
Amy Forehands, the governor-appointed district attorney who begins July 14, told the Public Safety Standing Committee she will keep CHIPS cases in the DA's office, is beginning a search for an assistant district attorney and wants to explore a formal diversion program to reduce low-level involvement with the criminal justice system.
Amy Forehands, the governor's appointee as Richland County district attorney, introduced herself to the Public Safety Standing Committee on July 10 and described immediate staffing priorities and program goals.
"So I'm Amy Forehands, and I did receive the appointment from the governor, which officially starts July 14," Forehands said, noting 24 years of county service. She said the office will keep CHIPS (child in need of services) work in-house because that continuity saves county costs relative to outside counsel and reduces back-and-forth between offices.
Forehands said she has opened a search for an assistant district attorney and that hiring the right candidate is more important than speed: she said she does not want to "just hire someone to fill a position" and create longer-term problems. She also said she wants to organize a more formal diversion program to divert appropriate low-level cases away from the formal criminal record process and reduce pressure on the sheriff's department and other community services.
Forehands said the office will continue handling mental health (emergency detention) matters, child-support work and other county responsibilities while new staff are recruited. She asked committee members for guidance on what metrics and items they would like to hear about in future DA updates.
Committee members thanked Forehands and asked to be kept apprised of the ADA search and any resource needs; Forehands said she would report back as the search and program planning move forward.
