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Three Charged in $500k Immigration Fraud Scheme Targeting Spanish-Speaking Churchgoers (PDF) (November 5, 2025)
Minneapolis man convicted of sex trafficking two victims, including a 14-year-old girl (PDF) (November 4, 2025)
Cottage Grove man sentenced to prison for sexually abusing young girl (PDF) (August 13, 2025)
David Powers guilty of kidnapping and rape (PDF) (April 22, 2025)
Man sentenced in Forest Lake murder that killed teen girl (PDF) (March 20, 2025)
Attorney’s Office concludes that police acted lawfully in shooting incident in North Branch (PDF) (February 3, 2025)
Man convicted of murder in Forest Lake hit-and-run that killed teen girl (PDF) (December 20, 2024)
Defendant in Woodbury police standoff sentenced to prison (PDF) (September 30, 2024)
Man charged with murder, assault in the death of his mother (PDF) (September 19, 2024)
Washington County Attorney's Office concludes that police acted lawfully in shooting incident in Oakdale (PDF) (September 9, 2024)
Champlin man sentenced for assaulting Washington County deputies during traffic stop (PDF) (August 28, 2024)
Washington County Attorney’s Office concludes that police acted lawfully in shooting incident in Woodbury (PDF) (August 15, 2024)
Man sentenced in Newport transit center murder (PDF) (July 30, 2024)
Final defendant sentenced in fatal Woodbury graduation party shootout (PDF) (May 3, 2024)
Suspect in Woodbury police standoff charged with multiple felonies (PDF) (May 3, 2024)
Champlin man found guilty of assaulting Washington County deputies during traffic stop (PDF) (May 2, 2024)
Washington County Attorney’s Office commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (PDF) (April 23, 2024)
Man sentenced to over 13 years for fatal Oakdale crash following police pursuit (PDF) (April 16, 2024)
MCF-Oak Park Heights inmate sentenced to 15 years in prison for assault on correctional sergeant (PDF) (March 15, 2024)
Final defendant pleads guilty to role in Woodbury graduation party shootout that killed Maplewood teen (PDF) (February 23, 2024)
Oakdale man sentenced to 37 years in prison for Woodbury graduation party shootout that left one dead (PDF) (February 2, 2024)
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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