County Attorney

About the Office

This website provides

• Information about what the county attorney does
• Information to assist victims of crime
• Information to assist witnesses called to testify in court
• Links to other websites that provide additional information about the law and law enforcement

The County Attorney's Office serves the public interest by representing Richland County and the State of Montana in:

• Criminal prosecutions
• The county's legal business
• The county's civil cases
• Advising the Board of County Commissioners
• Advising County offices, departments, and subdivisions

Functions

The County Attorney's clients are Richland County as an entity (not its individual private citizens) and the State of Montana. The county attorney is prohibited from advising or representing private persons on their legal matters. Private persons needing legal advice or representation should consult a private attorney. The County Attorney's Office:

• Prosecutes felonies in district court
• Prosecutes misdemeanors in justice court
• Prosecutes traffic offenses in justice court
• Prosecutes juvenile crimes in youth court
• Represents the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in district court cases for the protection of child welfare
• Handles petitions for involuntary mental commitments
• Acts as special prosecutor for other counties
• Obtains investigative subpoenas for the investigation of probable criminal offenses
• Prosecutes misdemeanors in the City Court of Sidney by contract between Richland County and the City of Sidney
• Prosecutes traffic offenses in the City Court of Sidney by contract between Richland County and the City of Sidney