craigdailypress.com

Three new faces in the District Attorney's Office should help ease the caseload for current prosecutors.

After a lengthy search and approval late last year by county commissioners in the 14th Judicial District, prosecutors are thinking that they finally got their men.

"It's going to be a huge help," Chief Deputy District Attorney Amy Fitch said.

"It's going to mean half the caseload for me."

Deputy District Attorney Erik Olson directly will help Fitch by taking over some of the felony and juvenile cases.

Olson worked most recently in Cortez, where he served as deputy district attorney for the 22nd Judicial District.

Fresh out of law school, Deputy District Attorney Jay Cranmer will handle misdemeanor, county and traffic cases.

Deputy District Attorney Jack Fahres, a lawyer with more than 30 years' experience, will help Cranmer learn the ropes. Fahres' position is temporary.

Former Deputy District Attorney Brett Roundy resigned recently.

But District Attorney Bonnie Roesink said that didn't much affect the recent hiring process.

Although the office at first sought two experienced attorneys, the current situation should work well, Roesink said.

In the past few years, Moffat County has taken the lead in the district in its number of felony cases.

The number of felony cases reached almost 300 last year. During that time, Fitch worked 272 felony cases and 73 juvenile cases.

Roesink said the number of cases this year looks to be on par with last year's high numbers.

"I don't know how Amy's held it together," Roesink said.

As part of the transition, Roesink's office will be moved across the hall after construction on the space is completed.

Moffat County's portion of district attorney salary increases and the new positions, which were approved by commissioners in the tri-county district, was about $25,000.

Roesink said she was surprised that commissioners approved the request last year, but she said it would help ensure that cases are better prosecuted.

"Those criminals better look out," she said.

Amy Hatten can be reached at 824-7031 or ahatten@craigdailypress.com.