Civil Duty

The Chisago County Attorney is the legal advisor for the County Board of Commissioners, County Officials and County Departments. The County Attorney is not authorized to provide civil legal advice to private citizens in his or her capacity as County Attorney. As the legal advisor for the county, the County Attorney serves in a role that is similar to that of an in-house corporate counsel.

Legal Advice

The County Attorney provides legal advice to the County Board and County Departments in areas involving:

  • Defending challenges to property tax values
  • Enforcing county environmental and health ordinances
  • Forfeiting property used in connection with criminal activity
  • Representing the Human Services Department on welfare appeals
  • Waste management

The Chisago County Attorney's Office cannot provide legal advice to individual citizens. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact private counsel.

Additionally, the County Attorney's office assists the county in:

  • Buying property
  • Defending against lawsuits:
    • Civil rights
    • Employment
    • Personal injury
    • Workers compensation
    • Other
  • Negotiating leases and contracts

Health & Safety

The County Attorney starts legal proceedings to protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults within the county when they are in need of assistance. The County Attorney represents the Chisago Department of Human Services in filing involuntary commitment actions to provide necessary treatment for individuals who are mentally ill, chemically dependent, or mentally retarded.

Public Assistance

When a family is receiving public assistance, the County Attorney represents the Chisago County Child Support Agency to bring actions to obtain or enforce child support obligations, or to establish the paternity of a child, in order to obtain reimbursement for assistance and other costs to the taxpayers. Parents not receiving federal or state monetary assistance may also apply for and receive these child support enforcement or paternity establishment services by the County Attorney at minimal cost.