WINNEMUCCA — Citing budget constraints, the Humboldt County Commission denied a request from the DA’s Office on Monday (April 19) to fund the Witness/Victim Advocate position, which was previously paid for by a state grant.  According to previous testimony, the AG’s Office indicated there were funds available for the position through the end of the year but after that Humboldt County would have to take over the funding.

DA Russell Smith was before the commission two weeks ago to make the same request, but at that time he did not have a salary figure and was instructed to come back with one.  On Monday he presented a figure of $52,000/year.

Although generally supportive of the program, the commissioners felt strongly the tight budget must be considered and they  voted unanimously to deny the request.  Smith was instructed to continue the work with existing staff.

Commissioner Dan Cassinelli noted they couldn’t create positions now when they may have to lay people off down the road.  Additionally, Commission Chairman Chuck Giordano read the minutes from the 2005 commission meeting when it was noted if the grant funding dried up for the advocate's position the county probably would not pick up the tab.

Smith asked to be put on the agenda again to discuss the possibility to making a part-time secretarial position full-time so that individual could take on some of the duties of the Witness/Victim Advocate.

Smith explained the primary role of the Witness/Victim Advocate was to help prepare the victim for the prosecution of the perpetrator.  For that reason, he noted, having an advocate on staff increased prosecutions.

In addition to helping with the judicial process, the advocate also assists the victim with obtaining resources for herself and her children.  Smith explained in cases involving domestic battery a female victim may feel she has to go back to her abuser to have resources to take care of her kids.  The chances of prosecution in those cases drops dramatically as the victim usually won’t testify against the abuser.

The previous Witness/Victim Advocate resigned for personal reasons.  The DA’s Office waited the 120 days required by the county’s attrition policy before requesting the new employee.  During that time, staff at the DA’s Office volunteered to handle the duties of the Witness/Victim Advocate but they could not continue putting in those kinds of hours, the DA said.

Smith said everyone at the DA’s Office was already working at full-capacity and could not realistically take on the duties of the advocate long-term.

Once again Smith was asked to utilize the advocates at the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Shelter, but he argued confidentiality laws made that avenue unworkable.  He explained while the WDVS was one of the resources frequently used by the advocate, any information  obtained by the WDVS regarding the crime would stay at the shelter due to confidentiality laws. 

Previous news on this topic: 
DA asks county to pick up tab for Witness/Victim Advocate