In his presentation to the County Board, State’s Attorney Devine stated that it is a “matter of fundamental fairness” that the Board act promptly to address the County’s unequal salary structure that pays Assistant Public Defenders more than Assistant State’s Attorneys who have the similar experience and length of employment.

Devine described to the Commissioners an internal study performed by the State’s Attorney’s Office that found, on average, that Assistant State’s Attorneys with similar experience and length of employment make $9,000 less than their counterparts in the Public Defender’s Office.  Devine also asked the Board to act to insure that all State’s Attorney’s Office employees are treated fairly by granting them the same cost of living adjustment that the Board has recently granted to other Public Defenders Office and other County employees working under collective bargaining agreements.

Devine noted that many young and talented Assistant State’s Attorneys have very large college and law school loan payments that are increasingly difficult to pay given their current County salaries.  Devine stated that if large numbers of these Assistant State’s Attorneys leave the Office because of the unequal salary structure, the criminal justice system will be impacted.  Devine stated that the Public Defender’s Office performs a vital role in the criminal justice system and that he has great respect for its members.  However, he stated that the responsibilities of the State’s Attorney’s Office are equally important and the need to retain talented and dedicated Assistant State’s Attorneys is critical to the court system.

Devine said that all citizens who depend on the Assistant State’s Attorneys to provide justice in the courtroom will be impacted if large numbers of these experienced attorneys leave the Office.