| Calhoun County Prosecutor Shannon Johnson has released a year end report for the county, which shows a 300% increase in felony cases during the past five years.
According to the prosecutor, there were 181 felony cases and 521 misdemeanor cases filed in Calhoun County Magistrate Court in 2013.
Further, there were 73 abuse and neglect cases, 16 juvenile status offender cases, and 3 juvenile delinquency petitions filed in Circuit Court.
In 2009, there were only 53 felony cases in Magistrate Court.
Over the years, there has been a steady increase in the case load for the prosecutor's office and the court system. In 2010, there were 70 felonies; 86 in 2011; and 110 in 2012.
The increase is apparent in misdemeanors cases.
In 2009, there were 373 misdemeanor cases. There was a decrease in misdemeanor cases in 2010 with 288 cases being filed. In 2011, however, there were 358 cases and 428 in 2012.
There has also been an increase in the numbers of abuse and neglect cases filed in Circuit Court.
In 2009 there were 50 cases filed as opposed to the 73 cases from this year. Juvenile status and delinquency cases have fluctuated over the years. There were none of these cases filed last year.
Prosecutor Johnson explained that the increase in case load also means an increase in court days in Magistrate Court and Circuit Court. Mrs. Johnson says she was in court an average of 18 days per month in 2013.
The Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney position is still classified as a part time position, one of three West Virginia counties that does not have a full-time prosecutor.
Prosecutor Johnson says, "There is no doubt that the case load in this county warrants a full time prosecuting attorney. With the increase in case load over the past few years, there is no way that someone could properly perform the duties of this office working only part time."
The Calhoun County Commission has placed a line item to assist in funding a full-time prosecutor on the upcoming Emergency Services and Criminal Justice levy set for a vote on February 1.
Prosecutor Johnson reminds voters that "the levy is just a continuation of the already existing emergency services levy. This levy will not raise taxes, it just extends the current levy tax rate."
The levy benefits not only the prosecutor's office, but all the local fire departments, emergency ambulance services, a sheriff's deputy position, and a small amount for the Office of Emergency Services.
Early voting begins January 21, 2014 and lasts until January 29, 2014, during regular business hours at the County Clerk's Office.
The levy election will be held on February 1 at regular polling place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
See CALHOUN VOTERS ASKED TO RENEW LEVY ON FEBRUARY 1 - Levy Will Not Increase Taxes
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