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Next AG Will Inherit Justice Budget Crunch

Pirority on terror has left few resources for other prosecutions

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2007 4:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – Alberto Gonzales' successor at Justice will find a department seriously weakened by budget cuts that have reduced prosecutions in all types of crimes, the Wall Street Journal reports. As funds have been redirected to fighting terrorism, positions in US attorneys offices remain unfilled, and investigations have languished for months. 

Because fewer prosecutors are available, crimes must be more serious to merit cases, and more cases have been settled out of court . The Department has resorted to hiring young, inexperienced lawyers. Prosecutions are sharply down in drugs, violent crime and white-collar offenses. "Americans are less safe today because of these shortfalls," one observer tells the Journal.

United States Constitution
United States Constitution   (Archive Photos)
Harvard Celebrates Graduating Class of 2005
Harvard Celebrates Graduating Class of 2005   (Getty Images)
US Attorneys are prosecuting less due to budget cuts.
US Attorneys are prosecuting less due to budget cuts.   (Getty Images)
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks during a press conference.
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks during a press conference.   (Getty Images)
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales answers questions.
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales answers questions.   (Getty Images)
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