$50,000 Grant Meant to Speed Up Prosecution in Tuscaloosa County

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced an almost $50,000 grant on Tuesday to speed up prosecutions in Tuscaloosa County, where the District Attorney's Office faces a backlog of thousands of felony cases.

A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs said the money will come from its Project Safe Neighborhoods program and will allow District Attorney Hays Webb to purchase software to manage their cases more efficiently, organize criminal cases, and expedite prosecution.

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“Prosecutors should be equipped with the best tools available to ensure a timely administration of justice,” Gov. Ivey said in their announcement. “These funds will help the District Attorney’s Office streamline its processes and enhance public safety.”

ADECA said it is administering the grant using federal funds from the U.S. Department of Justice. Their federal Project Safe Neighborhoods program is a nationwide initiative that unites local, state, and federal officials to develop strategies for combating crime.

“This new system should help prosecutors keep the wheels of justice turning,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office in its efforts to increase efficiency.”

As the Thread has reported in coverage of several high-profile cases, the Tuscaloosa County DA's Office is understaffed, underfunded, and overworked. District Attorney Hays Webb and his small team of lawyers are tasked with prosecuting all felonies committed in the county.

While many delays stem from defense attorneys, this tremendous backlog means that after a suspect is arrested and charged, it can often take several years for them to finally stand trial.

Some suspects spend those years on bond, back in the community while they wait for their turn in court. Others have no bond and can spend years in the Tuscaloosa County Jail for crimes they have not yet been convicted of committing.

While new case management software is unlikely to solve the DA's funding and staffing issues, ADECA said it is hopeful it will increase efficiency and also collect data on the crimes committed and prosecuted in the county.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.