KINGWOOD — While working in private practice, Preston County Prosecuting Attorney James Shay noticed most prosecutor offices in the state employ an in-house investigator.
Shay said hiring one for Preston County is one of the platform ideas he campaigned on.
“The thing about having one is you can use that person to do a whole slew of things that would otherwise tie up law enforcement if you had to use them to do it, when they could be out doing things more directly related to their duties,” Shay said. “So, it frees up their limited resources.”
Essentially, the role is the same as a private investigator hired by a private attorney, just for the state. Duties would include serving subpoenas, helping witnesses prepare for trial, and interviewing witnesses.
Typically, the position is filled by a former law enforcement officer. Shay said that’s a benefit because they know the system and usually have the right rapport with prosecutors and other law enforcement.
Monongalia County hired its first in-house investigator full-time in 2019 and the position “has made a significant impact on our ability to be ready for trials,” Prosecutor Perri DeChristopher said.
At a Tuesday work session for the Preston County Commission to determine how to spend CARES money, County Administrator Kathy Mace said it will cost $120,000 to fund the position part-time for three years — through the end of Shay’s term. She said one year wouldn’t be enough time to see how the new position worked out.
The $120,000 would cover fuel, a cell phone, and salary. The position would also need a vehicle and Mace suggested using one that might otherwise be sold.
Shay said the budget for his office is “pretty tight as it is,” so without the funding coming from CARES money “it’s probably not going to happen.”
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