In March, a grant from the state Office of Criminal Justice Planning provided money for a new prosecutor to work on domestic violence cases in the rural areas of the county. The grant also paid for a victims' advocate. Now, two prosecutors can each tackle about 40 to 50 cases a year from beginning to end. Particularly when prosecuting a domestic violence case is difficult, at best. A prosecutor with a smaller caseload can devote more time to victims, ensuring they proceed with charges and that they testify in court.
Hunt says prosecutors are doing the best they can.
Hell, they're all serious cases, but there are only so many they can legitimately pursue with only two prosecutors. Marquez, of Orange Cove, was charged with murder and attempted murder. Records show Marquez was on probation for threatening and harassing his ex-wife. Mendoza, a single mother, worked at a citrus plant in Orange Cove. Legislators had good intentions.