SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office closed 7,459 criminal and non-criminal cases last year, a 35% increase over the last five years.
Traci Smith with the office says that includes 1,841 felony cases, a 63% increase over the last five years. They closed 4,511 misdemeanor cases which is a 30% increase over the last five years.
Smith says defenders closed 258 juvenile cases which is a 35% increase over the last five years. They also closed 60 abuse and neglect cases last year which is a 30% decrease over the last five years.
Smith says the average cost of case last year was $343 compared to 1981's cost of $271.
She says there was a 69% increase in marijuana cases, a 77% increase in petty theft, unlawful occupancy saw a 158% increase and a 74% increase in violation of protection order cases over the last five years.
Smith presented the figures to the county commission today.