Oklahoma DA's hurting from budget crunch

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma's district attorneys are feeling the effects of the state's budget shortfall. <br><br>Half of their funding comes from other sources such as bogus check programs

Monday, January 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma's district attorneys are feeling the effects of the state's budget shortfall.

Half of their funding comes from other sources such as bogus check programs and grants.

Even so, some D-A's in Oklahoma are filing their own paperwork and answering phones.

And some prosecutors are prioritizing cases. They say cases such as nonviolent property crimes may get passed over at least for a while.

An official with the District Attorney's Council says at least three districts have implemented across-the-board salary cuts. Three others have adopted a furlough program.

One of those is DA Mitch Sperry, whose district includes Carter Johnston, Murray, Marshall and Love counties.

Sperry has chosen to furlough all employees one day a month until June.