The mission of St. Louis County Attorney Melanie S. Ford and the staff she leads is to promote the well-being of county citizens through fair and vigorous prosecution of crime; to assist and protect victims and other in need; and to provide timely, sound, and effective legal advice and representation to County Departments and the Board of Commissioners.
The County Attorney is the legal advisor for the County Board of Commissioners, County officials, and County departments. As legal advisor for the County, the County Attorney serves in a role that is similar to that of an in-house corporate counsel, giving legal advice on all Civil proceedings. For more information on Civil Division of the County Attorney’s Office click here Civil Division.
The County Attorney is the chief prosecutor for crimes which occur in the County. The County Attorney prosecutes felony crimes, gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors which occur within the County. For more information on the Criminal Division of the County Attorney’s Office click here Criminal Division.
The County Attorney is the prosecutor in all cases involving juvenile offenders. The County Attorney also oversees diversion programs which allow juvenile offenders to receive consequences for minor offenses without appearing in court. Juvenile Division of the County Attorney’s Office click here Juvenile Division.
The County Attorney initiates Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) petitions to protect abused or neglected children in the county. She also starts legal proceedings to protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults within the County when they are in need of assistance, files involuntary commitment actions to provide necessary treatment for individuals who are mentally ill, chemically dependent, or mentally retarded. For more information on the Public Health and Human Service Division of the County Attorney’s Office click here Public Health and Human Service Division.
The County Attorney provides assistance to victims which helps ease the physical, emotional, and financial hardships caused by criminalization. Crime victims are advised of their legal rights and status of their cases, and are offered an opportunity for their input. For more information on the Victim/Witness Division of the County Attorney’s Office click here Victim-Witness Division.
The County Attorney’s Office stepped forward to address the disproportionate number of children of color in the juvenile system following recommendations from a report by the Haywood Burns Institutein 2008. This study, conducted in consultation with Arrowhead Regional Corrections, looked at disproportionate minority confinement (DMC) in the Arrowhead Region from 2005 – 2006.
In 2009, the Attorney’s Office applied for and received $90,000 in grant funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs and initiated the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). In 2010, $89,300 of grant funding was secured to continue the important work of JDAI. For more information on the JDAI program click here JDAI.
The County Attorney’s Office welcomes and offers internships to students interested in opportunities associated with the legal field. A wide variety of work is available to interns including the areas of prosecution, community crime prevention efforts, and juvenile justice reform efforts.
Internships are available year round and are offered to undergraduates and law school students. Typically internships are unpaid. Inquiries regarding internship can be directed to backstromw@co.st-louis.mn.us