Editor, Times-Union:
Every day in Kosciusko County and across Indiana, prosecutors are doing more than just trying cases in court - we're working behind the scenes to keep people safe, rid our communities of dangerous drugs, stand up for victims, collect child support for parents, and help make sure the justice system works the way it should.
But the reality is - that work is getting harder.
Each year, nearly 340,000 criminal charges are filed across Indiana­ including more than 4,000 in Kosciusko County alone. That's not just a staggering number ..: it's a massive load for our prosecutors who are already stretched thin. Every single one of those charges is a case that deserves time, attention, and people to handle it. And right now, we just don't have enough hands on deck.
Across the state, there are 91 elected prosecuting attorneys and chief deputies and approximately 640 deputy prosecutors tasked with handling this enormous caseload. In Kosciusko County, we have 7 attorneys - in total - on our staff. Our entire team works day in and day out to keep our community safe.
What many people don't realize is that prosecutors wear many hats. We're not just courtroom attorneys - we also work closely with police, courts, victims' advocates, and community partners. We review cases, make difficult charging decisions, and try to strike the right balance between accountability and rehabilitation.
And while the legal work is intense, it's the human side that weighs the heaviest. Prosecutors often sit down with grieving families, listen to survivors' stories, and help victims navigate the judicial system.
Many deputy prosecutors are paid far less than they could earn in other legal positions - making it difficult to recruit and retain the professionals our community needs. Without competitive pay and adequate resources, it's getting harder and harder to keep quality, experienced prosecutors in these critical roles.
At the end of the day, it is about more than case numbers and court calendars. It's about our communities. It's about protecting people, helping victims, and making sure those who break the law are held accountable.
Justice doesn't happen on its own. It takes people who care deeply and who are willing to work long hours and carry the weight of the hardest moments in our communities. But they need support. So when we talk about public safety, we should make sure prosecutors are a part of the conversation.
Because if we don't invest in justice, our communities will feel the consequences.
As the prosecutor for Kosciusko County, I'm proud of the work everyone on our team does every day. All we're asking for is the investment we need to keep doing that work- for our victims, for our communities, and for the safety of everyone we serve.
J. Brad Voelz
Prosecuting Attorney
54th Judicial Circuit
Kosciusko County, Indiana
via email