Technically, a private citizen cannot charge someone criminally. The way that a criminal complaint is filed against a person is by reporting a crime to a law enforcement agency, like the Sheriff's Office or City Police. Law enforcement will then investigate the accusations and if they believe that there is probable cause to charge a person, they will refer the case to our office for prosecution once their investigation is complete. An attorney will then review the case and make a charging decision. If the attorney makes the decision to charge the person, they file an Affidavit of Probable Cause and a Complaint or an Information with the Court. A Judge then determines if they believe that there is enough probable cause to initiate charges.

Certain steps have to happen before the County Attorney's office can consider taking up a case.

1. Have you reported the crime to law enforcement? 

2. Has the crime already been referred to the County Attorney's office?

Victim/Witness Coordinators

works at the County Attorney’s Office, as a staff member of the prosecutor assigned to your case. Your VWC can help you navigate the legal process, keep you apprised of the case status, and will help coordinate interviews and/or your testimony at a trial, should that be necessary. A VWC will collect and coordinate restitution information regarding your case. A VWC may contact you after the resolution of the case regarding parole hearings or post-conviction relief matters.

Crime Victim Advocates

provides provides free and confidential assistance to victims of relationship violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The CVA office is a separate office from the County Attorney’s Office. The CVA program Your CVA will listen and advocate on behalf of you. Your CVA can help you navigate the process as well as help with resources inside and outside of the legal realm.

Click here to visit the Crime Victim Advocates page.