Assistant County Attorney I

Mille Lacs County, MN; Milaca (MN); On-site; USD 6,253,000 - 8,176,000; Full time

Job summary

Mille Lacs County seeks an attorney to prosecute criminal cases and provide legal representation in civil lawsuits to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. The role operates under the AFSCME-ACA bargaining unit.

The position will involve criminal and/or civil duties, depending on experience, with top candidates invited to interviews. The qualification includes JD, Minnesota Bar admission, and a Class D Driver’s License.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to Minnesota State Bar (valid license to practice law in the State of Minnesota).
• Class D Driver’s License.
• Experience practicing criminal law (or civil governmental law when applicable).

Responsibilities

• Consults with and advises law enforcement officers and other enforcement agencies preparatory to issuing criminal complaints.
• Makes decisions regarding the filing of criminal charges and to what extent on misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and limited felony matters with supervision of the County Attorney.
• Determines which evidence and witnesses to use in a trial; judges appropriateness of plea agreements and sentences with supervision of County Attorney.
• Drafts complaints for criminal prosecutions and prepares and conducts prosecutions of defendants in criminal actions in district and municipal courts on misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and limited felony matters with supervision of County Attorney.
• Represents the County at preliminary hearings and arraigning of defendants.
• Consults with and advises the county board, county officials, employees, representatives, commissions and boards regarding their powers, duties, and obligations.

Skills

Criminal law experience

Civil governmental law experience

Education

Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school

Admission to the Minnesota State Bar (valid license to practice law in the State of Minnesota)

Tools

Class D Driver’s License

Job description

To provide legal services for Mille Lacs County by prosecuting criminal cases and providing legal representation in civil lawsuits to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Mille Lacs County.

This position operates under the AFSCME-ACA bargaining unit. Complete 2026 salary range is $45.39/hr-$59.35/hr.

This position will involve criminal and/or civil duties of the County Attorney's Office, depending on experience and qualifications. Interest or experience in civil law is preferred but not required. This posting is being posted in conjunction with job posting 00901 -Assistant County Attorney II; only one of these two positions will be filled.

This job description indicates the normal type and level of work expected of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

1. Consults and advises law enforcement officers and other enforcement agencies preparatory to issuing criminal complaints.
2. Makes decisions regarding the filing of criminal charges and to what extent on misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and limited felony matters with supervision of the County Attorney.
3. Determines which evidence and witnesses to use in a trial; judges appropriateness of plea agreements, whether or not to dismiss charges, and determines appropriateness of sentences on misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and limited felony matters with supervision of the County Attorney.
4. Drafts complaints for criminal prosecutions and prepares and conducts prosecutions of defendants in criminal actions in district and municipal courts on misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and limited felony matters with supervision of County Attorney.
5. Represents the County at preliminary hearings and arraigning of defendants.
6. Consults with and advises the county board, county officials, employees, representatives, commissions and boards regarding their respective powers, duties, and obligations.
7. Discusses possible plea agreements with opposing counsel and attends pretrial and evidentiary hearings.
8. Receives juvenile reports and prepares delinquency, dependency, neglect and/or termination of parental rights petitions through each petition’s final adjudication.
9. Consults and advises police officers and other law enforcement personnel on law enforcement office policy and procedure.
10. Informs witnesses about court procedures and reviews all testimony before trial.
11. Consults and advises county agency clients and county support and collection personnel regarding paternity, child support, welfare and URESA matters.
12. Consults, advises, and represents the County in welfare appeal and inebriety/mental illness commitments.
13. Drafts warrants and information, prepares search warrants, directs investigations, witness interviews, conducts legal research, prepares memoranda of law and briefs supporting trial tactics, motions, jury instructions, and drafts pleadings and proposed findings, orders and judgments.

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Minnesota State Bar (valid license to practice law in the State of Minnesota).
• Class D Driver’s License.
• Experience practicing criminal law (or civil governmental law when applicable), including litigation of proceedings regarding state, county, and city matters is preferred.

Applicants will be selected based on a review of training and experience. Top candidates will be invited to participate in oral interviews.

This is a continuous posting that will remain open until filled.