EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council on Wednesday approved the hiring of five employees in the prosecutor’s office to help with an increasing caseload and a significant backlog.
The council vote raised the prosecutor’s office budget by $275,000 for 2016. It will add four deputy prosecuting attorneys and one legal assistant.
“The prosecutor lacked the manpower to keep up with the criminal filings,” council Chairman Terry Ryan said. “The council is taking action to add prosecutors to clear the backlog and protect the public. This is about sticking up for the victims and holding the guilty accountable.”
“This is a temporary fix to a serious issue,” council member Brian Sullivan said.
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