The recent cuts of nearly two dozen Wayne County prosecutors is starting to impact the suburbs in the county.
Initially, when the county last month was forced to cut 22 prosecutors, three investigators and one clerk, Detroit 36th District Court found itself having dismiss or adjourn some criminal traffic and misdemeanor cases.
Now,Gina Damron, Elisha Anderson and John Wisely of the Detroit Free Press report:
Suburban district courts are now reporting many problems as well, including some courts being forced to consolidate some hearings to be heard just one day a week and working with different prosecutors than usual. A judge at 34th District Court in Romulus dismissed a felony case last week after a prosecutor unfamiliar with the case failed to subpoena a witness whose testimony was needed.
Romulus District Judge Brian A. Oakley said it's not uncommon for cases to be dismissed, but the one he dropped Wednesday appears to be related to the budget cuts. The prosecutor at that hearing wasn't the person who normally worked in the court, he said.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has been locked in a battle with the Wayne County government to get back some funding.
