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Oakdale man found guilty of ten felony charges in fatal Woodbury graduation party shootout (PDF) (September 22, 2023)
St. Paul man sentenced to over five years in prison for aiding and abetting assault on Oakdale police officer (PDF) (September 21, 2023)
Washington County Attorney’s Office declines charges against police in fatal shootout at Stillwater apartment complex (PDF) (August 10, 2023)
Anonymous tip leads to arrest, charges against alleged sex trafficker (PDF) (Published June 29, 2023)
Man charged with kidnapping, sexual assault following attack on Lake Elmo woman (PDF) (Published May 4, 2023)
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 23-29, 2023 (PDF) (Published April 21, 2023)
Teen charged with felony assault following stabbing incident (PDF) (Published April 17, 2023)
MCF-OPH inmate charged with assault following January attack on correctional sergeant (PDF) (Published March 10, 2023)
Man charged with arson, animal cruelty after multiple cats die in house fire (PDF) (Published January 24, 2023)
Woodbury teen sentenced in crash that killed one, injured three (PDF) (Published November 15, 2022)
Maplewood man convicted of criminal sexual conduct sentenced to prison (PDF) (Published August 22, 2022)
Seven juveniles charged following disturbance, pursuit in east metro (PDF) (Published August 8, 2022)
Woodbury man found guilty, sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing wife (PDF) (Published July 1, 2022)
Former Forest Lake Middle School Teacher Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Students >(PDF) (Published June 13, 2022)
Washington County Board Appoints Kevin Magnuson as County Attorney (PDF) (Published June 7, 2022)
Washington County Attorney's Office Announces Pledge to Graduate Winners(PDF) (Published May 25, 2022)
Washington County Attorney's Office Decline Charges Against Police in Forest Lake Fatal Shooting (PDF) (Published April 29, 2022)
Washington County Attorney's Office Commemorates Crime Victims' Rights Week (PDF) (Published April 21, 2022)
Washington County Attorney's Office Criminal Division Chief Appointed to District Court Judge (PDF) (Published April 13, 2022)
Washington County Attorney's Office Announces Celebration of Life for Pete Orput (PDF) (Published April 13, 2022)
Pete Orput, Husband, Father, and Washington County Attorney Passes Away at 66 (PDF) (Published April 4, 2022)
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput Passes Away at Age 66 (PDF) (Published April 3, 2022)
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 16 Years for Sex Trafficking (PDF) (Published February 28, 2022)
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput Announces Retirement (PDF) (Published January 2022)
Weekly Summary of Initial Court Appearances
View the latest Initial Court Appearances (PDF). This list is updated weekly.
Arraignment Hearing
The initial court appearance for a petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor charge is called an arraignment hearing.
At the arraignment hearing, the defendant:
- Is advised of his or her legal rights.
- May apply for a public defender.
- May enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
First Appearance (Rule 5 Hearing)
The initial court appearance for a gross misdemeanor or felony charge is called an initial appearance, first appearance, or Rule 5 Hearing.
At the First Appearance, the defendant:
- Is advised of his or her legal rights.
- Is advised of the charge or charges.
- May apply for a public defender.
However, no plea is taken from the defendant.
Weekly Summary of Sentencings
View the latest Sentencings (PDF).
Sentencing
A defendant is sentenced after pleading guilty or being found guilty by the judge or jury. Felony sentences are governed by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
Petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor
Petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor sentences are often given at the time a defendant pleads guilty. A judge has discretion regarding the sentence imposed and usually bases the sentence on a combination of the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's criminal history.
Felony
Sentences for felony level charges are often set on a date after the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty. Prior to sentencing, a Pre-Sentence Investigation is completed by Community Corrections and recommendations are made to the judge regarding the sentenced to be imposed.
Some of the topics that our office is available to speak on include:
- Preventing identify theft
- Motor vehicle theft
- Truancy
- School safety/bullying
- Domestic Violence
- Child Support
- Protecting merchants from fraud
- Telemarketing fraud
- Protecting our vulnerable citizens
- Home safety tips to prevent burglary
- Staying safe on-line
- Keeping kids safe on-line
- Holiday safety tips
- General discussion on crime in Washington County
- Beyond tough on crime - being smart on crime
- Other
Please send an email to the County Attorney's Office to arrange a guest speaker.
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