SB 592 - This act establishes a district attorney system. District attorneys shall be elected at the 2006 general election in each judicial circuit for counties that elect to be part of the system, and serve for four year terms. The district attorney of each circuit shall receive the same annual salary as a circuit judge, paid by the state.

District attorneys shall prosecute all criminal actions for the circuits in which they serve. They may appoint full and part time assistants, investigators and clerical staff, who shall be paid by the county and serve at the pleasure of the district attorney.

The act contains a schedule for reimbursement by the state for the budget of offices in the district attorney system, ranging from 5 percent in 2007 to 50 percent in 2016 for circuits consisting of one county, and from 10 percent in 2007 to 50 percent in 2011 for circuits consisting of more than one participating county. District attorneys shall devote full time to their offices and shall not engage in the practice of law. The act specifies a procedure for counties not having a charter form of government to join the system.

The act also revises the retirement provision to provide for prosecuting or circuit attorneys in counties that elect to become part of the district attorney system.
JOAN GUMMELS