Yolo County DA Saves Money, Victims' Pain By Closing Cases Fast

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YOLO COUNTY (CBS13) -- A local district attorney's office is saving time and money by closing cases at a faster rate.

For victims heading to the courthouse, the experience can be a constant reminder of the pain they've endured. In Yolo County, moving those cases through the courts quicker means helping victims and saving taxpayer dollars.

Courtrooms represent a place for justice.

"At that point, I was in such shock and so horrified," said the mother of two victims.

Two girls, both 11 and 17 were molested by Carl Testerman, a Solano County English teacher.

"I would have to go home and say, 'well today I talked to lawyers,' or 'today i talked to detectives," said the girls' mom.

But the case was over in just six months. Testerman took a plea deal and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

In the past, a high profile case like this one could've taken twice as long to reach the same conclusion, but since 2007, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig decided it was time to change the way they do business.

"It actually starts with an attorney simply walking into court on the very first court date and telling the judge we are demanding our speedy trial rights under the law," said Reisig.

They're also pushing for fewer continuances, or delays in the case. So far, it has translated into resolving cases 20 percent faster since 2008. In this mother's case it was 50 percent.

"I was amazed," she said. "My worst nightmare would have been if it had been a year and then it would have gone to a trial, you know."

The DA says the process saves money primarily in court and jail time costs.

"Get those people in and out of the system, the less tax dollars," said Reisig.

"The benefit to the victims is immeasurable," said Reisig. "And you can't put a price tag on that."

It's a sentiment this mother shares especially when it comes to her children.

"Now we get to focus on school. We get to focus on sports and activities and friends," she said.

And there's another incentive to get cases through the system: a smaller budget.

In the last three years the Yolo DA's budget went from $13 million to $11 million.