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Houston County Attorney's Office

306 S Marshall St. Suite 2300 Caledonia, MN 55921

Phone: 507-725-5802

Fax: 507-725-5783

 

Duties & Responsibilities

The Houston County Attorney's Office serves as the chief prosecutor for all felony, gross misdemeanors and juvenile offenses committed within Houston County.  In addition, the office prosecutes misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors which occur within the unincorporated areas of the County and which occur within those municipalities that contract with the County.  The County Attorney's Office vigorously prosecutes all criminal and juvenile matters within its authority in a manner that ensures due process and equal protections to the victim, the accused and the citizenry at large.

The Houston County Attorney's Office serves as chief legal counsel for the Houston County Board of Commissioners, the various departments established and maintained by the Board of Commissioners and to such committees of the Board as appropriate.  The Office represents the County before the courts of this state, the United States and other jurisdictions where authorized.  The Office also appears on behalf of the County before such agencies, commissions, boards and other organizations before whom the County has business.

Investigations

The County Attorney’s Office does not investigate crimes. Investigations are conducted by law enforcement officers such as the police department or sheriff’s department. Law enforcement officers gather evidence (e.g. statements from witnesses, photos, fingerprints, drug tests, etc.) and submit the evidence to the County Attorney for review and a charging decision.

 

Report a Crime

To report a crime you need to contact the law enforcement agency for your area.

Caledonia Police Department
507-725-3889

Hokah Police Department
507-894-4777

Houston County/Brownsville/Eitzen/Spring Grove
Houston County Sheriff’s Office: 507-725-3379

Houston Police Department
507-896-4033, Ext. 4

La Crescent Police Department
507-895-4414

Victim Services
Truancy Referrals
Legal Assistance
Useful Telephone Numbers

Suzanne Bublitz

Houston County Interim Attorney.
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Email

Jessica Kraus

Houston County Assistant Attorney.
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Email

Attorney's Office Administrative Staff

HCAO@co.houston.mn.us
P: 507-725-5802

Email

Michelle Herman

Houston County Victim Services

Email
Can the County Attorney’s Office help me with a legal problem?

Neither the County Attorney nor staff are allowed to represent, provide legal advice to, or provide legal services to private citizens or businesses. Among the areas that are considered private civil matters are: Boundary line disputes, child custody, collection of judgments, conservatorships, dissolutions, landlord/tenant disputes, orders for protection, private covenants, probate, wills/trusts, and writs of execution.

How can I contest a ticket I received in Houston County?

Contact the Houston County Court Administrator’s Office at 507-724-7002 and request a court date. Appear for court on the date and time specified. If you wish to speak with the prosecutor, you may do so after hearing your rights. If you wish to plead not guilty, you will be given another court date for a court trial or pre-trial hearing.

I can’t make it to my scheduled hearing. What do I do?

You should contact your Attorney and/or Court Administration at: (507) 724-7002.

I have insurance on my vehicle and still received a ticket for no proof of insurance. What do I do?

Provide the insurance information to the Houston County Court Administrator’s Office or to the Minnesota Court Central Payment Center prior to your court date.

What should I do if I receive a Subpoena to appear in District Court (from the HCAO)?

FAILURE TO OBEY A SUBPOENA WITHOUT BEING EXCUSED IS CONTEMPT OF COURT. You should appear in Court on the date and time specified. If the Subpoena came from our office, you may not need to be present for all of the days listed on the Subpoena. To find out more information on which day(s) you must be present, please contact our office and ask to speak to the Prosecutor handling the case.

What should I do if I want to report a crime?

All crimes should be reported to the law enforcement agency where the crime occurred: All crimes that occur within the city limits of Caledonia, Hokah, Houston, or La Crescent, should be reported to that city’s police department. All crimes that occur outside of city limits or in the cities of Spring Grove, Brownsville or Eitzen should be reported to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

Can I press or drop charges against someone?

Pressing charges:
Once law enforcement completes the initial investigation of a complaint, they will determine whether to forward the report to the appropriate prosecuting agency. The reviewing prosecutor decides which charge(s), if any, will be issued.
Dropping charges:
Many people incorrectly believe a victim has the power to “press charges” or “drop the charges.” In Minnesota all crimes are considered offenses against the state, not solely against the victim. The Houston County Attorney’s Office prosecutes criminal complaints on behalf of the state.
Only the attorney prosecuting the case can decide to file or dismiss charges, but the victim’s opinion is important in that decision. Many factors are taken into account when deciding whether to honor a victim’s request not to proceed with prosecuting, including the nature and extent of the defendant’s criminal history, the severity of the alleged crime, whether the defendant has other pending charges in the criminal justice system, and future danger to the community.