County Attorney
Legal counsel and representation, criminal prosecution and victim support services.
Mission Statement:
To promote justice and public safety by zealous yet discretionary prosecution balancing the rights of individuals and the paramount needs of society.
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §388.01 “There shall be elected in each county a County Attorney who shall be licensed to practice law in this state, and whose term of office shall be four years and until a successor qualifies. Before entering upon duties, the County Attorney shall take an oath. The oath must be filed for record with a county recorder.”
County Attorney roles and responsibilities
County Attorneys in the State of Minnesota are responsible for the prosecution of all felony crimes committed by adults in the respective County as well as lesser crimes in the townships. The County Attorney also prosecutes all juveniles who commit crimes regardless of the seriousness of the offense. The responsibility of prosecution includes providing support and assistance to victims of crimes.
The County Attorney serves as the legal advisor for the County Board and departments and represents the County in all civil litigation in which the County has no insurance coverage.
The County Attorney and staff are not allowed to represent or provide legal services to private citizens.
There are three main areas of prosecution within the County Attorney's office, they are:
In addition to the three main areas of prosecution, the Olmsted County Attorney's office hires law clerks for the academic year and summer. This program offers courtroom experiences as well as research and writing assignments. The Olmsted County Attorney's office seeks law clerks that have an interest in public service and greater Minnesota.