District Attorney
The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes committed in Ashland County involving adult or juvenile defendants. The District Attorney’s Office also represents both the State of Wisconsin and Ashland County in the prosecution of civil forfeiture and traffic cases where the defendants choose to contest the citations. These include citations issued by the Ashland County Sheriff’ Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and other state agencies. By direction of the County Board, the Ashland County District Attorney’s office also handles a variety of non-criminal matters, including cases involving Children in Need of Protection and/or Services (CHIPS), Juveniles in Need of Protection and/or Services (JIPS), and Termination of Parental Rights.
Cases are referred by the appropriate agency (e.g. law enforcement, DNR, Department of Human Services, etc.) to the District Attorney’s office for review by a prosecutor (either the District Attorney or an Assistant District Attorney) who will work with the referring agency to gather more information as needed and, if warranted, commence the appropriate action in Circuit Court. The District Attorney will litigate the matter through resolution (e.g. negotiated settlement, dismissal, or trial). Supporting the prosecutors are the Legal Assistants, who assist in preparing documents, filing pleadings and papers, producing discovery, and other tasks necessary for the operation of the office.
The Victim Witness Coordinator ensures that victims and witnesses of crimes charged in Ashland County receive the services and rights to which they are entitled under Article I §9m of the Wisconsin Constitution and Chapter 950 of the Wisconsin Statutes. This includes assisting victims by providing information and services consistent with these laws and in a manner that honors a victim's rights to dignity, respect, courtesy, sensitivity, and fairness while striving to be culturally sensitive and trauma-informed in delivery.