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Attorney

Aitkin County Attorney's Office

209 2nd St. NW, Room 268

Aitkin, MN.

Ph: 218-927-7347

Email: Coatty@co.aitkin.mn.us 

Hours; M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm

Website: https://www.co.aitkin.mn.us/departments/attorney/ 

The County Attorney oversees all criminal prosecutions, provides legal advice to county officials and departments, and represents the county in civil matters. Our goal is to ensure that justice is served and that the people of Aitkin County feel safe and protected.

Our team is composed of experienced and dedicated attorneys, legal assistants, and support staff who work tirelessly to provide high-quality legal services. We understand that the legal system can be complex and overwhelming, and we are here to help you navigate it.

In addition to our legal services, we also work closely with other agencies and organizations to promote public safety and crime prevention in the community. We are committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with law enforcement, victim services, and community groups.

Explanation of the Court Process

After the Crime: What’s Next?...

After criminal activity is brought to the attention of law enforcement, the officer(s) will either issue a citation immediately, depending on the level and type of offense, or submit investigative material to the County Attorney’s Office for a prosecutor to make a charging decision. The suspect, again, depending on what the crime is and the level of offense, may be brought into custody immediately. The assigned prosecutor will carefully review the investigative material provided by law enforcement. 

If the prosecutor feels there is enough evidence to charge a crime or crimes, then a Criminal Complaint will be drafted. When a Criminal Complaint is issued by the County Attorney’s Office and signed by a judge, the defendant will be scheduled to appear in court.

Each case is different and the number of hearings necessary can vary. In misdemeanor cases, the defendant oftentimes pleads guilty during the first appearance, but multiple hearings could also be scheduled. With gross misdemeanor and felony cases, there could be numerous hearings as well. This can be a time-consuming process depending on many factors. Every case has the potential to go to trial, but most cases are settled by way of a plea agreement. Victim rights can be exercised throughout the court process. Please contact the Crime Victim Coordinator for more information. Victims are welcome to attend hearings but are not required to unless they have been subpoenaed. Victims are usually only subpoenaed when a case is scheduled to go to trial.

A more detailed explanation of the types of court hearings will be coming soon.

Things to consider...

  • Victims do not press charges and do not have the right to dismiss or “drop” charges. Charges are made by the State of Minnesota. When criminal activity is brought to the attention of law enforcement, the State has an obligation to protect not only the victim(s) involved but also public safety.
  • Victim input about a case is extremely important and carefully considered, but it is ultimately up to the State to negotiate any plea agreements with the defendant to settle the case.
  • The State customarily will not dismiss charges all together at the request of a victim but may be willing to negotiate for the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
  • Making a charging decision can be a complicated, time-consuming process. If you are wondering about the status of your case, please contact the Crime Victim Coordinator.

More Information:

Crime Victim's Financial Remedies

Restitution is money a defendant pays to a crime victim for the victim’s actual out-of-pocket costs or losses. Restitution may be ordered in both adult and juvenile delinquency cases at the sentencing (adult) or disposition (juvenile) hearings. It is also required of defendants who participate in diversion programs.

In order to receive restitution, victims must make a written request to the court which includes a descriptive list of your losses, dollar value for repair or replacement, and receipts or reasons justifying the amounts. This request must be made on the Affidavit of Restitution provided to you.

You may ask for restitution for expenses that are a direct result of the crime. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, medical bills, mental health care, transportation, lost wages, and the repair or replacement of stolen or damaged property. Copies of any bills, receipts, invoices, and insurance claim forms or other proof of your loss should be attached to the form and will expedite the restitution determination. Do not include original receipts and make copies for yourself.

Oftentimes, restitution is determined by probation. They will contact you about your claim and will advise you by letter of the amount of restitution determined.

The defendant will not pay you directly. All payments will be made to the Court Administrator’s Office and checks will be issued to you as they are received from the defendant.

Reparations:

The Crime Victims Reparations unit compensates victims for losses sustained due to violent crime in Minnesota.

Crime Victim Services will assist eligible victims in completing the application to receive compensation from the State for certain types of crimes and expenses.

Victims with injuries may receive financial compensation from the Crime Victim Reparations Board for certain costs incurred as a result of the crime. Some of the expenses covered by Reparations include medical and dental costs, mental health care, lost wages, child care, and funeral expenses.

Reparations DOES NOT cover the replacement of damaged or lost property or expenses that could be covered by another source.

Claims must be filed within three (3) years of the injury except in cases involving child abuse and other very limited situations.

Help for Crime Victims - Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program (mn.gov) 

Resources for Victims of Crime

Emergency 9-1-1

Local Victim Services Providers

Post Conviction Assistance

Defendant In-Custody Status Information and Notification

Local Resources for Victims

State-Wide Resources for Crime Victims

Victim's Rights

Minnesota law provides for the following rights for crime victims:

THE RIGHT TO BE NOTIFIED OF:

  • Content of any plea agreements
  • Schedule changes of court proceedings if notified to testify
  • Final disposition of the case
  • Any appeals and the right to attend if there are oral arguments
  • Sentence modifications
  • Defendant’s release from prison or any other custodial institution
  • Defendant’s escape and apprehension from prison or any other custodial institution
  • Motions to have case records expunged (sealed and kept confidential)
  • Filing of a civil commitment petition and the outcome
  • Decision not to prosecute a domestic assault or harassment case

THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROSECUTION, INCLUDING:

  • Having input in a pre-trial diversion program decision
  • Requesting a speedy trial
  • Accompaniment of a supportive person at court hearings
  • Attending the hearing where the plea is presented and informing the court of objections to the plea agreement or proposed disposition or sentence
  • Informing the court of the personal impact of the crime at sentencing (physical, emotional, financial, etc.)
  • Requesting a probation review hearing

THE RIGHT TO PROTECTION FROM HARM, INCLUDING:

  • Tampering with a witness is a crime in Minnesota
  • Right to request address be withheld in open court
  • Right to a secure waiting area during court
  • Employers may not discipline or dismiss victims or witnesses who are subpoenaed to testify in court
  • Right to request law enforcement to withhold their identity in public

THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING:

  • Financial assistance from the state for economic loss due to a violent crime
  • Requesting the court to order the defendant to pay restitution for out-of-pocket expenses

Crime Victim Services Program

*Crime Victim Services - Anonymous Survey:
If you have received assistance from the Crime Victim Services program you are
encouraged to take a moment to fill out the following survey and provide us with
feedback. Thank you.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5GX6X6L

About the Program:

The Aitkin County Attorney’s Office serves as the chief prosecutor for all felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile crimes within Aitkin County. Its Crime Victim Services Program handles and complies with all statutory obligations with regard to crime victim rights in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 611A. The program was established in the late 1990’s and its services continue to evolve to meet the needs of victims in the ever-changing criminal justice system.

After the Crime:  What's Next?

After the criminal activity is brought to the attention of law enforcement, the officer(s) will either issue a citation immediately, depending on the level and type of offense, or submit investigative material to the County Attorney's office for a prosecutor to make a charging decision.  The suspect, again, depending on what the crime is and the level of offense, may be brought into custody immediately.  The assigned prosecutor will carefully review the investigative material provided by law enforcement.

If the prosecutor feels there is enough evidence to charge a crime or crimes, then a Criminal Complaint will be drafted.  When a Criminal Complaint is issued by the County Attorney's Office and signed by a judge, the defendant will be scheduled to appear in court.

Each case is different and the number of hearings necessary can vary.  In misdemeanor cases, the defendant oftentimes pleads guilty during the first appearance, but multiple hearings could also be scheduled. With gross misdemeanor and felony cases, there could be numerous hearings as well. This can be a time-consuming process depending on many factors.  Every case has the potential to go to trial, but most cases are settled by way of a plea agreement.  Victim rights can be exercised throughout the court process.  Please contact the Crime Victim Coordinator for more information.  Victims are welcome to attend hearings but are not required to unless they have been subpoenaed. Victims are usually only subpoenaed when a case is scheduled to go to trial.

Things to Consider:

  • Victims do not press charges and do not have the right to dismiss or "drop" charges. Charges are made by the State of Minnesota.  When criminal activity is brought to the attention of law enforcement, the State has an obligation to protect not only the victim(s) involved but also public safety.

  • Victim input about a case is extremely important and carefully considered, but it is ultimately up to the State to negotiate any plea agreements with the defendant to settle the case.

  • The State customarily will not dismiss charges all together at the request of a victim but may be willing to negotiate for the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

  • Making a charging decision can be a complicated, time-consuming process.  If you are wondering about the status of your case, please see the contact info below.

Free and Confidential Services

Crime Victim Services Office Hours
          8:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Monday through Friday

For services and more information contact:

Gabrea Anderson
Crime Victim Coordinator
218-927-7446 Direct
1-888-422-7347 Toll Free

Aitkin County Attorneys Office:

James P. Ratz
Aitkin County Attorney
209 2nd St. NW Room 268
Aitkin, MN 56431
(218) 927-7347

 

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