The Experience: Platte County Attorney

By John Miller

The experience of a Platte County Attorney is inclusive of law enforcement, as the role includes the prosecuting of criminal cases. The Attorney is an elected official of a four-year term in office. This role is an extremely busy one and anyone who runs for this office, or elected will definitely benefit from having an energetic demeanor.

Types of cases prosecuted by the County Attorney's office are criminal in nature and involve felonies, and misdemeanors. The office also handles infraction crimes such as being in possession of a small amount of marijuana, which is punishable as less than a misdemeanor. Additionally infraction crimes are crimes committed by persons who were not aware that a crime was being committed. The punishment is generally a warning.

The County Attorneys job is not an easy one and is very time consuming. He is not only responsible for the prosecution of crimes, but is the County Coroner too. Deaths that need investigation are his primary responsibility. He must trust and rely heavily on his departmental staff in working as a team in maintenance of all the divisions associated with his office.

There are so many functions that this office handles such as Juvenile Courts, Detention, child endangerment, criminal investigations, issuing of warrants, and subsequent arrests, the enforcement of property taxes, and child support cases. This is only the tip of the iceberg of the responsibilities of the County Attorney's office.

The major aspects of this office is investigation. They investigate anything and everything in keeping the county in compliance. The administrative demands are overwhelming as this office handles procedures on a systematic and highly competent scale.

They investigate a case in reaching their decision. Most persons think that the Prosecuting Attorney's office is the enemy, but you would be surprised to know that you may receive sounder advice from that office, and at a reduced price, than you would from a personal criminal lawyer. Of course, it all depends on the particular ambiance towards a case.

The office also functions effectively with and is linked to the Highway Department, Detention Facility, Department of Motor Vehicles, Commissioners Office, Probation Office, Emergency Management, General Assistance Programs, Veterans, and Victims Assistance, to name a few.

Besides the County Attorney, the other positions that staff this office are the Chief Deputy and his deputies, and the child support department is there as well as the department that handles the writing of bad checks. There are two positions for office manager, and one office clerk.

This staff appears small in relation to the duties that they must perform. Their time management is in alignment with the systematic functions as set forth by the County Attorney in ensuring that all departments are strategic and accurate delivery of services are provided.

With the daily high volume of endless paper received, the processing is time consuming and tedious work, and the turnaround time is slow. The accuracy you can count on makes up for any inconvenience in waiting. The office runs smoothly and all personnel follow exact procedures.

The duties of a Platte County Attorney are many. Entrusted to the care and welfare of the county in itself is a huge undertaking. One must be competent and energetic to accomplish all functions necessary in an efficient and organized structure. To be elected to this office is an honor in itself, and should never be taken for granted. - 31397

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here