Bexar County’s district attorney’s office currently has 49 vacancies, including more than 30 prosecutors, and a backlog of thousands of cases.

Part of the problem, District Attorney Joe Gonzales said, is his office cannot compete against salaries offered in neighboring rural counties with lower populations and lighter caseloads.

As of last week, more than 10,000 felony cases were waiting to be presented to a grand jury to determine whether charges should proceed — leaving 2,556 defendants sitting in jail while their cases are unresolved.

This step, known as indictment, is a key part of moving cases into the court system.

Until a case is indicted, defendants remain in jail or on bond as evidence is reviewed and charging decisions are made. Once indicted, cases stay in the courts and

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