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Fri, December 6, 2024

Prosecutors earn thousands in St. Louis County, and thousands more in muni court side jobs


Published on 2024-12-06 12:00:54 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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  • The attorneys are some of the highest-paid staffers in county Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell's office, and earn up to $49,500 at side jobs in municipal courts.

The article from STLtoday discusses how prosecutors in St. Louis County are earning significant additional income through side jobs in municipal courts. These side gigs, which involve prosecuting minor offenses like traffic violations, can add tens of thousands of dollars to their annual earnings. For instance, one prosecutor, Chris King, earned over $100,000 from his municipal court work in addition to his county salary. This practice raises concerns about conflicts of interest, the fairness of the judicial process, and the potential for over-prosecution in smaller courts where these prosecutors might have more influence. Critics argue that this system could lead to a focus on revenue generation rather than justice, especially in communities where these courts operate. However, supporters of the system claim it provides necessary experience and helps smaller municipalities manage their legal affairs efficiently.

Read the Full St. Louis Post-Dispatch Article at:
[ https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/prosecutors-earn-thousands-in-st-louis-county-and-thousands-more-in-muni-court-side-jobs/article_e0773188-a6bf-11ef-9abe-6fd5341c6557.html ]
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