The St. Louis County Attorney is an elected official with specific obligations which are set forth in Minnesota statutes.  The staff of 67, led by County Attorney Alan L. Mitchell, is divided into four divisions: Criminal, Civil, Social Services, and Victim/Witness Services.  Offices are located in the Duluth, Virginia, and Hibbing Courthouses as well as the Government Services Center in Duluth.

The County Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felonies occurring within St. Louis County.  Additionally, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor and County ordinance violations also fall within the office’s criminal responsibilities.  Support for these functions is provided by the Duluth Criminal and Victim/ Witness Services divisions.  The Social Services Division provides for the prosecution of juveniles and welfare fraud cases.

The County Attorney’s Office also appears in all civil cases in which the County is a party.  This representation includes defending employees for matters occurring within the scope of their employment.  The County Attorney’s Office also administers the County’s self-insured insurance plans which cover general liability, workers’ compensation, and health programs.

Through its Civil and Social Services Divisions, the County Attorney’s Office provides support and legal opinions to all County office’s and departments.