County Courts requested six new staff attorney positions to help identify defendants eligible for bond-related programs and ensure the county complies with Local Rule 9 and the O'Donnell Consent Decree; commissioners voted instead to direct county offices to plan for continued funding of these positions in the next budget cycle.

What it means for you

Rather than immediately approving the new positions, the court directed staff to work with County Courts and justice system stakeholders to include these roles in the FY2027 budget with a plan focused on probable cause proceedings.

Outcome

Two separate motions were made and votes were taken on Item 317. A motion was made by Commissioner Briones, seconded by Commissioner Garcia, to direct the Office of County Administration and the Office of Management and Budget to work with the County Courts at Law and relevant justice system stakeholders to request continued funding for these positions in the FY27 budget process with a clear plan for the positions to support probable cause proceedings and other compelling needs. The motion carried by the following vote: