Stephens Co. Commission Looks To Hire Attorney for State Court

Stephens County Commissioners vote to increase the budget for legal fees in State Court to provide for the hiring of a defense attorney.

On Tuesday, the county commission voted 3 to 2 to increase the budget for legal fees in State Court from $15,000 per year to $30,000 per year.

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers says that an attorney has expressed interest in serving as a public defender for State Court at that amount part-time.

County Commission Chair Debbie Whitlock said that the caseload in State Court makes it a needed position.

“There are a lot of cases, a lot of indigent people that do not have representation and it clogs up the system,” said Whitlock.

Whitlock notes that the county this year has already spent almost $10,000 for appointed defenders in State Court, so this will save money over the long term and avoid any other problems that arise from not having a defense attorney available.

However, Commissioners Dean Scarborough and Michelle Ivester said they are opposed, noting what other State Court legal officers make.

“It is a part-time position,” said Scarborough. “They have a legal practice.”

He noted the State Court Solicitor makes $27,000 a year and the State Court Judge makes $32,000.

“I would be opposed to it,” said Scarborough.

“I think it would be a slap in the solicitor’s face really to pay them more than she makes.”

Whitlock said their salaries also need to be looked at moving forward.

Commissioners Ivester and Scarborough voted in opposition to the motion, which was approved by Whitlock, Dennis Bell, and Stanley London.