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Published May. 11, 2009Views: 178
District Attorney Asks State to Cut Her Pay
BY JOHN CHAPPELL: STAFF WRITER
District Attorney Maureen Krueger doesn't think it's fair to dock her staff's pay to balance the state budget.
She is asking the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to take those pay cuts out of her salary instead.
Krueger has written Gov. Bev Purdue to protest the governor's "Executive Order No. 11" that docks state workers .5 percent in return for 10 hours of "flex time" off, especially as it applies to salaried workers such as prosecutors.
"Assistant district attorneys are salaried employees, and they do not earn leave time," Krueger wrote. "This makes your Executive Order No. 11 a direct pay cut for assistant district attorneys. Assistant district attorneys are a crucial element of our criminal justice system. They are responsible for the daily administration of justice in their communities."
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Prosecutors make daily decisions that can forever alter lives, Krueger said, noting that while being asked to do more with fewer resources, prosecutors selflessly continue to carry out their duties and responsibilities.
"I have been involved with the North Carolina court system since 1997 when I was first hired as an assistant district attorney," Krueger said. "As I started what I considered my 'dream job,' I was shocked to learn that I could make more money as a waitress than I could as a champion of justice."
The state's entire criminal system is woefully underfunded and outgunned by the defense bar, she found. In addition, many assistant district attorneys have staggering amounts of educational loans they are counting on savings from their meager salaries to pay back.
"Many must struggle to support their families," she said. "The attrition rate is high, and the common reason for seeking other employment is purely financial."
Every year, according to Krueger, many well-qualified assistant district attorneys, well-trained at state expense, are forced out of public service careers for economic reasons.
"Assistant district attorneys are not looking to get rich off of their government jobs," she said. "They simply want an adequate salary that is commensurate with their experience and training and comparable to other professionals in their field. Unfortunately, the current salary structure fails in this aspect. Now you are asking these same assistant district attorneys to take a pay cut."
There may be little Krueger can do about the governor's Executive Order other than express her opinion, she wrote.
"However, I refuse to let your action diminish and demoralize the dedicated public servants in the Moore County District Attorney's Office," Krueger said. "Today, I have asked the Administrative Office of the Courts to take the cumulative amount of all of my employees' pay cuts out of my paycheck instead of out of theirs. I am awaiting an answer. I would be glad to discuss other alternatives with you."
It will cost her several thousand dollars out of her own pocket, she said, if the AOC can do as she asks. The amount would depend on whether the sums can be transferred before or after tax.
Filed under: News & Issues
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GOLO member since July 11, 2007
May 11, 2009 8:28 a.m.
I think that this says so much about what kind of person she is, she cares for the workers of this state.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
May 11, 2009 8:29 a.m.
GOLO member since July 20, 2007
May 11, 2009 8:29 a.m.
GOLO member since July 7, 2007
May 11, 2009 8:32 a.m.
Perhaps someone with "the numbers" can clarify?
May 11, 2009 8:32 a.m.
May 11, 2009 8:36 a.m.
That's awesome!
GOLO member since September 7, 2007
May 11, 2009 8:49 a.m.
In other words, she might have been paid well, but worked more than 80 hours a week, which made it seem like she was working for pennies.
GOLO member since May 16, 2008
May 11, 2009 8:50 a.m.
GOLO member since November 6, 2008
May 11, 2009 9:02 a.m.
If I recall correctly, the starting salary of an Asst. DA in a large county is about $35,000. (That was about 12 - 13 years ago, so it's probably up a little, but not much.) In smaller counties it's much lower.
GOLO member since July 17, 2007
May 11, 2009 9:07 a.m.
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