Newport, OR. — The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office is pushing back against community claims that staffing concerns stem from the county’s population size, arguing instead that a countywide hiring freeze—and not demographics—is driving a critical shortage of prosecutors and support staff.
In recent days, comments circulating online and in the community questioned why Lincoln County struggles with staffing despite having just over 51,000 residents. The District Attorney’s Office says that narrative is misleading. Population alone, officials say, does not predict criminal caseloads—especially in a coastal tourism county that sees heavy seasonal influxes.
When fully staffed, the office is budgeted for 32 positions, including attorneys, support staff, victim advocates, and specialized roles such as a detective and digital forensic analyst. But due to the county’s hiring freeze, 11 positions remain vacant, including three deputy district attorneys, a detective, two victim advocates, two support staff, and key administrative roles.
25-26 Budget contemplates a total of 9 criminal prosecutors
The DA’s Office notes that Lincoln County consistently files more criminal cases than counties of similar size, and in 2025 filed roughly the same number of cases as Benton County, which has nearly double the population. Lincoln County has also filed 40–60 percent more criminal cases than comparable counties such as Clatsop and Columbia.
Despite rising caseloads, the office is currently operating with only six criminal deputy district attorneys. Budget documents for 2025–26 authorize nine prosecutor positions. At present, just 17 employees are assigned to criminal prosecution, with four additional staff in grant-restricted positions limited to child support or diversion programs.
Population information obtained from 2024 Oregon Blue Book Almanac & Fact Book
Local law enforcement referrals continue to flow in from roughly 90 officers and detectives countywide, each requiring review and charging decisions from prosecutors—work that cannot be paused due to staffing shortages.
Since spring, District Attorney Jenna Wallace has repeatedly requested exceptions to the hiring freeze to fill four to five key public-safety positions. Wallace says those requests were denied by Commissioners Claire Hall and Walter Chuck without public discussion. She raised the issue publicly at the October 1 and November 5 Board of Commissioners meetings, warning that caseloads are up 24 percent and the county is on pace to file more than 1,850 criminal cases this year, with more than 360 cases still awaiting review.
Wallace stressed that she is not asking for new positions or additional funding—only the ability to hire into positions already approved in the current budget. For more than a decade, the office has consistently underspent its budget, returning funds to the county’s general fund.
“I am struggling to understand why Commissioner Hall and Commissioner Chuck will not grant exceptions to the hiring freeze,” Wallace said. “I need to be able to use the resources already allocated to my office to continue to promote community safety and accountability in Lincoln County.”
Commissioner Casey Miller has publicly objected to the continued freeze, but the board majority has not taken up the matter for discussion. Wallace warns that without immediate action, the office may be forced to prioritize which cases can be charged due to limited capacity.
Seeking more transparency, the DA’s Office is organizing a public town hall in the coming weeks to discuss caseloads, staffing, and community safety concerns. All residents will be invited, and Wallace hopes Commissioners Hall and Chuck will participate as panelists.
A date, time, and location will be announced soon.
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