Houck explained that a Deputy DA supervises assistants, screens cases, conduct continuing legal education classes and is part of a leadership group that discusses issues ongoing prosecutions.
Both of the promoted deputies are female.
Prior to the meeting, Houck provided County Council with a memo noting that there is a nationwide staffing shortage among prosecutor offices. "We're down, but we're not at a stage where any of our services are impacted at all," said Houck.
He noted that Montgomery County is down 22 assistant DAs, and is offering a $4,000 longevity bonus. He added that Allegheny County has lost 22 assistant DAs just this year.
He told Council member Kevin Lott that his office is currently down about four assistants.
Competition for prosecutors has increased. Houck told Council that the Attorney General and US Attorney Offices offer much more money. "People that are leaving are leaving for really good reasons," he said. "They're getting a lot more money."
Lott noted that a salary study shows that Northampton County starts assistant DAs at around the same salary range as assistants in other third class counties.. Houck agreed, although he said that Lehigh County pays starting assistants about $4,000-5,000 more than Northampton.
But he said that's not the problem. The problem comes in hiring assistants who have experience. They are brought in at the same salary as assistants with no experience at all. He noted that he recently hired an attorney with 16 years of experience, and has to pay him the same salary as an attorney fresh out of law school.
Council member John Cusick suggested that Houck might want to return to hiring part-time assistant DAs who have established practices. Houck said he is considering that option.
Houck is currently seeking re-election as District Attorney, and is opposed by Steve Baratta.
18 comments:
Who is looking out for the taxpayer's wallet? Where, oh where, is Ron Angle when we need him?
Everybody knows how to count the assistant vacancies in his office - do some journalism and say how many are really there. How can anyone say that a significant reduction in workforce doesn’t impact services? Citizens deserve a fully staffed, competitively paid full-time workforce to consistently do the job.
Then he talks about paying someone with 16 years experience (male per the article) the same amount as someone fresh out of law school (hands tied) but only asks for a modest additional increase for two female assistants (hands not tied) - didn’t he just argue in favor of this experienced assistant?
No follow-up questions on the merits. Council doesn’t ask, Council doesn’t care. And you only opine when it suits you.
82K for an attorney, even one with no experience, is low these days. Thanks to the folks who do the job because they sure ain't doing it for the money!
Who is ensuring there is a deterrent to crime, ensuring your safety? When they could easily earn double in the private sector. See what your government wallet looks like when people have to flee crime.
Terrence Houck is a loser. He should just go home to Bucks County.
Okay, this is sooo not cool, longevity is based on years of service , not positions held! I’ve been here 30 years and only receive a $1750 longevity payment. I’m sure, no positive, that some of those ADAs haven’t even been here for ten years! So just cause they are ADAs they are worth more? Bull shit, this is why people leave the county !
This request will do nothing to entice, nor retain ADAs. The mass exodus in the two other counties you mention also has, a flavor of personnel related issues that are not salary related. With the arguable exception of one leaving for the prestigious AUSA position neither are the other ADAs exodus’s explicable solely on the basis of salary . Do your homework Bernie. If you want to have opinions, have the facts to support them. The people who used to work in the cafeteria know more about the disaffected DAs staff than you do, or than you care to report on.
Terry knows one or 2 of the DA’s he’s about to hand 3000 Bucks to is leaving his office.
30 DA’s have left since 2019. 30 DA’s hadn’t left in the 30 year’s previous.
When I start getting imperious instructions to do some journalism, what I am really being told that I should be supporting Baratta. IU get that a lot from his camp. Very pushy people.
82k for an attorney? LOL. You’re worried about the taxpayer? State reps get 100k, a car, and an expense account for what amounts to a part time job. Second biggest legislature in the country. Second or third highest paid governor. They all get automatic pay raises. Start there if your worried about the taxpayer.
6:47 a.m.: I am in total agreement with your post. Those who work in the DA's office due it more for the sense of justice than they do for their own personal gain. The job is incredibly stressful and comes down to 12 people if your case goes to court. You have to play nice with judges who have egos the size of Everest and deal with the worst people in society. No thanks, but so glad there are some who do the job and do it well.
When are these ADA's going to clear some of the backlog and move on? Lot of wasted money by all sides going on.
"So just cause they are ADAs they are worth more?"
By every metric.....yeah, pretty much
I have received a critical comment about two clerks in the DA's office. These are county workers but set no policy and are not running for anything. While the complaint might be accurate, it would be wrong for me to publish that anonymous comment.
Longevity bonus was a total misnomer. The reason there hasn’t been a reduction in services to mirror the temporary reduction in ADAs is that the ADAs are working above and beyond normal hours to ensure coverage. These funds try to account for those efforts, efforts by people who take their profession and their duty very seriously.
Clearing a backlog requires trials, or a defendants’ willingness to enter a plea and a judge’s willingness to accept that plea. Trials are set by the court.
Another ADA reported as leaving. Is it the money? Is it the DA? Is it the unusual unprofessionalism of several NorCo judges?
Post a Comment