State’s Attorney Office

Mission Statement: To promote justice, public safety and effective government through the prosecution of crime, the
protection of those in need, and representation of Barnes County.

The States Attorney Office is responsible for the prosecution of traffic level, infraction, misdemeanor, and felony level crimes in Barnes County with the exception for some city misdemeanors. The office is also responsible for involuntary mental health commitments, juvenile deprivation cases, juvenile delinquent cases, and sexually dangerous individual cases.

The State’s Attorney’s Office carries out a broad spectrum of legal duties as outlined in Chapter 11-16 of the North
Dakota Century Code. These duties include:

•Criminal prosecution
•Juvenile Justice
•Child deprivation, child support, and parental termination matters
•Legal service to county departments
•Involuntary mental health commitments
•Civil commitment of sexually dangerous individuals
•Administration and policy functions of the State’s Attorney’s Office
•Guidance and training to law enforcement agencies within Barnes County, including
•Barnes County Sheriff’s Office
•Valley City Police Department

The State’s Attorney is responsible for prosecuting all of the felonies, misdemeanors and traffic offenses committed in
Barnes County, not otherwise handled by the Valley City Prosecutor.

•A common misconception of this office is that the States Attorney is the “free” county attorney meaning that the attorneys can give out free legal advice. This is not true. The State’s Attorney cannot give out legal advice on civil matters such as divorce, landlord-tenant cases, estates, and monetary disputes just to name a few.