The Chisago County Attorney prosecutes felony crimes (crimes which carry a maximum penalty of more than 1 year in prison) which occur within Chisago County. Examples of these crimes include:
Child abuse
Drug offenses
Murder
Serious property offenses
Sexual assault
Misdemeanors & Gross Misdemeanors
The County Attorney also prosecutes misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors (crimes which carry a maximum penalty of less than 1 year). Prosecution may involve:
Filing criminal complaints
Making sentencing recommendations
Presenting cases before a grand jury
Representing the state in court hearings and trial
Reviewing the investigation of law enforcement officers
The Criminal Process
When charges are filed against an individual who allegedly committed a crime, a Complaint or Citation is filed with the court. The Complaint contains a brief statement of the facts and sets forth the crimes the defendant has committed based on those facts. Depending upon the charge, the defendant will follow 1 of 2 basic paths in proceeding through the criminal justice system.