Jackson County Attorney’s Office

10/01/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to recognize survivors, remember those whose lives have been lost, support those working every day to respond to domestic violence, and remind our community that help, safety, and support are available.

Domestic violence is more than physical violence.

It can include intimidation, threats, isolation, financial control, monitoring, emotional abuse, sexual violence, stalking, coercive control, and other behaviors used to establish or maintain power and control. It can happen behind closed doors and may not always leave visible injuries.

And the impact reaches far beyond the person being abused. Domestic violence affects children, families, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and our entire community.

This month, the Jackson County Attorney’s Office stands with survivors and with the advocates, law enforcement officers, health care professionals, service providers, and community partners who work alongside them.

We believe survivors.
We listen without judgment.
We support safety.
We pursue accountability.
We work toward a community where violence is not normalized or ignored.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you do not have to navigate it alone.

📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
💬 Text: START to 88788
🌐 thehotline.org

If you are concerned about someone you know, offering support can be as simple as listening, believing them, and helping them connect with resources. You do not have to have all the answers to make a difference.

This October, let’s speak up. Let’s learn the signs. Let’s support survivors. And let’s work together to build a community where everyone deserves to feel safe.

💜 Domestic violence is a community issue. Ending it is a community responsibility.

09/22/2026

One of the questions we hear after a criminal case is resolved is:

“If someone is convicted, why aren’t they automatically sent to prison?”

The answer is that Minnesota has a structured sentencing system—and a felony conviction does not automatically mean a state prison sentence.

📋 Minnesota uses Sentencing Guidelines

For most felony convictions, judges use the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines to determine the presumptive sentence.

The Guidelines consider two primary factors:

🔹The severity of the offense — how Minnesota law classifies the seriousness of the crime.

🔹The offender’s criminal history score — which takes into account qualifying prior convictions and other factors established by the Guidelines.

Those two factors are used together on a sentencing grid to determine the presumptive sentence, including whether the Guidelines recommend probation or commitment to state prison.

🚔 A “stayed sentence” is still a sentence

Some felony offenses fall into a portion of the Guidelines where the presumptive sentence is a stayed sentence rather than immediate commitment to prison.

A stayed sentence generally means the person is placed on probation and must comply with conditions ordered by the court.

Those conditions can include things such as treatment, chemical-use monitoring, no-contact orders, restitution, community service, supervision, or other requirements depending on the circumstances of the case.

A violation of probation can result in the court taking additional action, including imposing a previously stayed prison sentence.

⚖️ Judges don't simply “choose” any sentence they want

The Guidelines provide a presumptive sentence for typical cases. A judge may depart from that recommendation, but Minnesota law requires legally sufficient reasons for a departure, including substantial and compelling circumstances under the Guidelines.

There are also offenses that carry mandatory minimum sentences or other statutory sentencing requirements that can affect or override the usual Guidelines calculation.

The sentence depends on the specific offense, the applicable law, criminal history, the Sentencing Guidelines, and the circumstances of the individual case.

Our criminal justice system is governed by laws and procedures designed to provide a structured and consistent sentencing process—not simply by whether someone “deserves prison” in the eyes of the public.

We know sentencing can be complicated and, at times, confusing—especially for victims and their families. Understanding how the process works can help explain why the outcome of one case may look very different from another.

*This post provides general information about Minnesota sentencing and is not legal advice. Sentencing laws and guidelines can change, and individual cases may involve additional statutory requirements.*

09/15/2026

09/08/2026

This week, we pause to recognize Su***de Prevention Week and, more importantly, to remind our community that you are never a burden, and you are never alone.

Behind every statistic is a person—a parent, child, sibling, friend, coworker, neighbor, or member of our community. Su***de affects all of us, and prevention begins when we are willing to notice, listen, and reach out.

Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is simply ask:

“Are you okay?”
“How are you really doing?”
“What can I do to help?”

We don't need to have all the answers. We don't need to fix everything. We just need to be willing to stay, listen, and help someone connect with support.

If you are struggling, please know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of courage. And if someone you care about is struggling, your presence and willingness to listen may matter more than you realize.

One conversation can change a life. One person reaching out can make a difference. One life saved is everything.

This Su***de Prevention Week, let’s commit to looking out for one another, breaking the silence, and building a community where asking for help is met with compassion—not judgment.

You matter. Your life matters. Your story is not over.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. In an immediate emergency, call 911.

09/02/2026

⚖️ JURY DUTY: YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU!

Jury duty isn’t just another item on your calendar. It is one of the most important ways you can participate in our justice system.

When you receive a jury summons, please show up. Your presence matters.

Jurors are ordinary people from our community who are asked to listen carefully, consider the evidence, follow the law, and make decisions based on the facts presented in court. No special background is required — just an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to doing your civic duty.

For prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, defendants, witnesses, and the court, jurors are an essential part of the justice process. Without citizens willing to serve, our justice system cannot function as it is intended.

We understand that jury service can be inconvenient. Work schedules, childcare, transportation, and other responsibilities can make serving challenging. But when you are called, please make every reasonable effort to participate. If you have a legitimate hardship or question about your service, communicate with the court rather than simply ignoring your summons.

Justice takes all of us

When you show up for jury duty, you are showing up for your community, your neighbors, and the principles that make our justice system work.

Answer the call. Serve your community. Be part of justice. ⚖️

08/31/2026

Today, the Jackson County Attorney’s Office joins communities across the country in recognizing National Overdose Awareness Day.

Behind every statistic is a person—a family, a friend, a child, a parent, a coworker, or a neighbor. Overdose affects individuals and families from every community and every walk of life, and its impact reaches far beyond the person struggling with substance use.

Today, we remember those whose lives have been lost to overdose, stand with those who are struggling, and recognize the families and loved ones who continue to carry the weight of that loss.

We also recognize that addiction is a complex issue, not a moral failure. Prevention, treatment, recovery, compassion, and access to resources can save lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for help can be the first step toward recovery. There is no shame in asking for help, and recovery is possible.

Today, we remember.
Today, we raise awareness.
Today, we work toward a community where fewer families have to experience the devastating loss of overdose.

Every life matters. Every person is worth saving. Every opportunity for recovery matters.

08/25/2026

As students head back to school, our roads are once again filled with buses carrying some of our community’s most precious passengers.

That means every driver has a responsibility to know when to stop.

🛑 When a school bus has its red lights flashing, STOP.

Do not pass the bus. Do not try to “beat” the stop arm. Do not assume the road is clear. A child could be stepping into the roadway at any moment.

A few seconds saved by passing a stopped school bus are never worth risking a child’s life.

🚨 Remember:

• Red lights = STOP.
• Watch carefully for children crossing the road.
• Be alert in school zones and residential neighborhoods.
• Give school buses plenty of space.
• Expect children to be unpredictable—slow down and stay focused.
• Know and follow your state’s school bus laws.

Our children should never have to wonder whether a driver will stop for them.

This school year, let's make getting to and from school safely everyone's priority.

🚌 Slow down. Pay attention. Stop for the Red Lights.🚌

From all of us at the Jackson County Attorney’s Office: Have a safe and successful school year!

08/18/2026

No one deserves to be controlled, threatened, or hurt by a partner or family member. Domestic violence is not a private matter—it is a serious crime with potentially life-threatening consequences.

When we talk about domestic violence, we often think about the injuries we can see. But some of the most dangerous forms of abuse may leave little or no visible evidence. Strangulation occurs when an offender uses an object or body part to impede someone's ability to breathe freely.

Strangulation is a serious act of violence and a significant warning sign of escalating danger. It can cause life-threatening injuries, including permanent damage to the brain, airway, blood vessels, and other internal structures—even when there are no visible marks.

Strangulation can also be used as a tool of fear, control, and coercion. A person who has been strangled may experience fear, confusion, difficulty breathing or swallowing, voice changes, headaches, dizziness, or other symptoms. Some symptoms may not appear immediately.

If someone tells you they have been strangled, BELIEVE THEM. Take it seriously. Encourage them to seek appropriate medical attention and contact law enforcement.

Our office remains committed to supporting survivors, holding offenders accountable, and working alongside law enforcement and community partners to promote safety and justice.

08/11/2026

When survivors of sexual assault present to a hospital for a medical forensic examination conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), the clothing they were wearing at the time of the assault is frequently collected and secured as evidence. As a result, survivors are often left with little or no appropriate clothing to wear when they leave the hospital, sometimes having only a medical examination gown available.
To help address this immediate and often overlooked need, the Jackson County Attorney's Office, in partnership with Project Beloved: The Molly Jane Mission, has assembled Beloved Bundles for survivors of sexual assault. These kits include new clothing, undergarments, personal hygiene products, and other essential comfort items. Providing these kits helps restore a measure of dignity during an incredibly traumatic experience while sending a powerful message that survivors are supported, valued, and not alone.

08/11/2026

**Relationships Shouldn’t Come With Fear. ❤️‍🩹**

For teenagers and college students, relationships can be exciting, meaningful, and an important part of growing up. But it’s also important to recognize that **relationship violence can happen at any age.**

Abuse isn’t always physical. It can look like:

• Constantly checking your phone, messages, or location
• Controlling who you spend time with or what you wear
• Isolating you from friends or family
• Excessive jealousy or accusations
• Threats, intimidation, or humiliation
• Controlling money or access to transportation
• Pressuring or forcing sexual activity
• Repeatedly ignoring your boundaries or saying “no”
• Making you feel afraid of how your partner will react

**Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, communication, boundaries, and consent.**

If something in your relationship doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to wait until it becomes physical to ask for help. And if a friend comes to you, **listen, believe them, and help connect them with a safe and supportive resource.**

No one deserves to be controlled, threatened, intimidated, or hurt by someone they’re dating.

**Know the signs. Know your boundaries. Know that help is available.**