Why the County
Attorney Cannot Attend Every County Board Meeting
Freeborn County is a medium-sized Minnesota county. This County Attorney’s Office has fewer employees than any other comparable sized county. I am especially conscious of prioritizing my time in relationship to the services that I am mandated to perform. I cannot attend every County Board meeting because I have other duties that must be performed at the same time on the days the County Board meets.
The primary function of a County Attorney’s Office is to prosecute crimes that occur within the County. This work involves reviewing law enforcement investigation reports and charging individuals with various crimes. After persons are charged it is the duty of the County Attorney’s Office to prosecute those persons. This involves attending numerous hearings. While most cases do result in a plea of guilty, numerous jury trials occur throughout the year.
In Freeborn County jury trials are held at least twice a month, usually beginning on Tuesdays. Hearings and trials conflict with the regularly scheduled County Board meetings. Therefore, there are days when I am simply in Court.
Respectfully Submitted,
Craig S. Nelson
Freeborn