Attorney

Brian W. McDonald - County Attorney

County Attorney News...

First Assistant Attorney Sczepanski Receives Award

On March 30, 2023, the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators honored Becker County First Assistant Attorney Braden Sczepanski and Detroit Lakes Police Investigator Phil Vaughn for their work related to an arson prosecution. Read more (PDF).

Brian W. McDonald

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Becker County Attorney's Office is to enhance public safety by aggressively and fairly prosecuting those who violate the law; to provide quality legal representation to county government; and to steadfastly protect the rights of crime victims and advocate the cause of justice.

The County Attorney serves as the chief prosecutor of all adult felony crimes and juvenile offenses in Becker County. The County Attorney is also responsible for providing legal counsel to the County Board of Commissioners and all county departments, as well as representing the county in civil lawsuits, child support matters, child protection actions and mental health commitments.

In order to perform required duties, the Becker County Attorney has an experienced staff of assistant county attorneys, legal assistants, and a crime victim/witness coordinator. The County Attorney and staff are not permitted to represent, or provide legal advice to, private citizens.

First Assistant County Attorney

Braden F. Sczepanski

Assistant Becker County Attorneys

Lisa M. Tufts

Holly A. Danielson

Jessica L. Johnsrud

County Attorneys are not investigators and do not investigate crimes. All complaints of criminal activity need to be reported to law enforcement officers, who then gather the evidence and, when appropriate, submit the case to the prosecutor for review and a charging decision.