A District Attorney (D.A.) is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case (i.e., the official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses). The D.A.'s job is to make the strongest case possible against a criminal defendant in court or to seek resolution of a criminal case before trial through a plea bargain.

It's risky to contact the D.A.'s office; after all, they're the ones prosecuting the case against you. However, you (through your attorney) may want to communicate with their office in order to negotiate a resolution of your case before trial and possibly obtain a plea agreement. This could result in reduced charges against you, a dismissal of certain charges, or a reduced sentence.

Minnesota Attorney General

The Attorney General's office represents the state in legal proceedings and enforces consumer protection laws.

Communicating with the Prosecution

If you start talking with the prosecution, any subsequent negotiations will likely involve discussions about the evidence and facts in your case. This is where it can get risky because you could inadvertently reveal sensitive information about your case or even make damaging admissions that the prosecution could use against you later at trial.

Since most people are not familiar with the evidence gathering and trial process, it would be hard to know what information should be communicated and the right time to do so. Also, people are not always familiar with the background of a prosecutor or with the policies and goals of a prosecutor's office, as some offices may view certain crimes differently which can therefore impact whether they will negotiate with you about your case.

Elements of a Crime and the Burden of Proof

Many people who aren't trained in the law also may not fully understand how to determine the elements of a crime. This is critical because the prosecution has the burden to prove every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction. Failure to do so means you can't be convicted. Knowledge of the prosecution's burden as well as an understanding of the evidence in your case is what can sometimes provide you with leverage during any plea negotiations.

Before taking any steps to communicate with the prosecutor's office, however, it's critical to have a thorough evaluation of your case, including all of the evidence in the record, with an expert in criminal law.

Minnesota County Attorneys

Below are links to Minnesota district attorneys, organized by county.

Note: Although we strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state, this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.

Speak with an Attorney Before Contacting the District Attorney

Facing criminal charges can be a trying time for you and your family. It's especially unnerving to know that there's a team of prosecutors who are working very hard to make a case against you. The good news is that you don't have to go through this alone. Reach out to a local Minnesota criminal defense attorney today to discuss your case and learn about your options moving forward.