Your County Attorney is the legal advisor and chief law enforcement officer for your county.

The County Attorney DOES

• Prosecute all violations of state criminal laws and county ordinances.
• Provide legal advice to the Board of Supervisors and county township officers concerning county matters.
• Represent and defend the state, county and its officers in officially related cases.
• Recover all monies (debts, fines, penalties, child support, etc.) owing to the state, county or school district.
• Present all mental health commitment proceedings and all juvenile delinquency and children in need of assistance cases.

There are both full-time and part-time County Attorneys in Iowa. Most County Attorneys are part-time and may handle private legal work in addition to their official duties. Your County Attorney IS NOT, in his or her OFFICIAL capacity, a lawyer for private groups or persons.

The County Attorney DOES NOT

• Give legal advice to or represent private groups or persons.
• File lawsuits for private persons or defend them against lawsuits, including actions for dissolution of marriage.
• Prepare wills, deeds or other legal documents for private individuals.