The county attorney and assistants cannot give private legal opinions to individuals about legal problems or disputes with others . The county attorney does not provide opinions to private parties in civil matters such as: Landlord/Tenant issues, boundary lines disputes, private contracts, collection of judgments, writs of execution, wills, probate, conservatorships, orders for protection, or dissolutions. This office does not conduct investigations.
As the legal advisor for the county, the county attorney serves in a role that is similar to that of an in-house corporate counsel. The county attorney also files involuntary commitment actions to provide necessary treatment for individuals who are mentally ill, chemically dependent, or mentally retarded.
The county attorney plays an important role in seeking new laws to strengthen law enforcement, criminal justice, child protection, victim’s rights, and other areas. The county attorney also initiates and/or participates in efforts to prevent or reduce crime in the local communities and statewide.
In each of Minnesota’s 87 counties, a county attorney is elected to handle numerous criminal and civil legal responsibilities. Below is a brief description of the duties of the county attorney‘s office.