Prosecuting attorney asks commissioners for additional staff

Editor’s note: The following was comprised from meeting notes by Okanogan County Watch: info&countywatch.org

OKANOGAN – County prosecuting attorney Albert Lin spoke with the Okanogan County Commissioners on June 27 to request additional staff to handle appeals, civil cases, and the upcoming workload his office expects when new state drug laws take effect in August. Among those:

            • Simple possession of a dangerous drug will be a gross misdemeanor.

            • Pretrial diversion is an option for persons charged with drug possession.

The prosecuting attorney currently has a staff of seven deputies, one chief criminal deputy, one chief civil deputy, and himself.  In addition to the workload anticipated, Lin noted that some serious violent crime cases tried by his office involving murder, assault, or rape are being appealed. Some cases coming back are more than a decade old.

“I just am asking you all for help,” said Lin. “There are a number of serious cases that are appealing, and they are 'papering' us to death.”

Lin said that criminal cases are his main focus, with violent crimes of highest priority, then property crimes, the latter with substance use usually involved.

Lin served two years as the county’s chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney before being appointed by the commissioners to his current office in March 2022. Now, after a year on the job, facing new drug laws and no additional resources for the prosecutor’s office he asked the commissioners to reevaluate the burden he faces.

Lin said one new staff member, and possibly two, are needed, adding he will revisit the issue with the board as future needs determine.

Commissioner Chris Branch said the county must address its crime issues as a priority and agreed with Lin’s request for help. Commissioner Andy Hover proposed that Lin work with the county’s Human Resources Department to write up the position needed, its job description and resolution for this new position. The motion carried.