New Richmond – Today, Representative Rob Stafsholt (R - New Richmond), released the following statement on the Joint Finance Committee’s decision to add an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) in Dunn County.
“After speaking with Dunn County District Attorney (DA) Andrea Nodolf, and constituents in the area, I have been made especially aware that the county is in dire need of an additional ADA,” said Stafsholt. “I am happy to champion this motion, and work to ensure that our new ADA remains in the budget as we move forward.”
Currently, Dunn County is staffed with a DA and two additional ADAs. These DAs prosecute all adult, juvenile, traffic, and DNR cases in Dunn County. In 2018 Dunn County prosecuted 479 felony cases (compared to 418 in 2016), 558 misdemeanor cases, 142 juvenile cases, and 316 traffic cases. In the past five years, the number of cases relating to Children in Need of Protection Services, and Parental Rights have increased dramatically.
“As cases continue to pile up and become more complicated, we need to ensure that our counties have the proper tools to protect our families back home,” said Stafsholt. “While Dunn County may seem like a rural area to many legislators in Eastern Wisconsin, it has a rather large city center, with one of Wisconsin’s fastest growing universities. Unfortunately, our area is also dealing with a rapidly increasing meth epidemic that has caused spikes in court cases. An additional ADA will certainly help address these issues.”
Representative Stafsholt is also working with his legislative colleagues on a motion that would create an additional Circuit Court Branch in Dunn. According to the Dunn County 2018 Assessment, caseload numbers and statewide time studies have indicated that the county is in need of another judge. The latest figures show that Dunn has the second highest judicial need in all of Wisconsin.
“Hopefully we see some bipartisan support on the creation of an additional Circuit Court Branch in Dunn County,” said Representative Stafsholt. “The county needs less finger pointing and more teamwork down in Madison.”
Representative Stafsholt represents the 29th Assembly District, which includes portions of eastern St. Croix County and western Dunn County.
Last Update: May 29, 2019 3:20 pm CDT
