Your county attorney is the legal advisor and chief law officer for your county and is required by statute to:
- Prosecute violations of state criminal laws and county ordinances;
- Provide legal advice to the Board of Supervisors and county and township officers concerning county matters;
- Represent and defend the state, county and its officers in officially related cases;
- Recover money (debts, fines, penalties, child support, etc.) owing to the state, county or school district;
- Represent the applicants for involuntary mental health commitments;
- Represent the Department of Human Services in child in need of assistance cases;
- Represent the State of Iowa in all juvenile delinquency and truancy proceedings; and
- Register crime victims and notify victims of their statutory rights.
Your County Attorney also does:
- Monitor the County’s compliance with all federal, state and local regulations;
- Assist other departments in the development of policies, procedures and ordinances,
- Comprehensive Land Use Plan and personnel policy;
- Revise the governing documents of Boards and commissions, such as the Public Health Department and Veterans’ Affairs Commission;
- Prepare documents for land transfers from the County;
- Assist in personnel issues, such as employment contracts, workers compensation, hiring decisions and termination issues;
- Conduct training for officials and employees, particularly on the topics of Open Meetings, Conflicts of Interest, gift law, public records, HIPAA;
- Prepare reference materials and training for the Sheriff’s Office and Jail; and
- Develop a Bad Check Policy to curtail merchant losses from bad checks.
Your County Attorney cannot:
- 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, custody, bankruptcy;
- Prepare wills, deeds or other legal documents for private individuals; or
- Advise a private group or person if they have a valid civil claim.