Daniel P. Steffen, former Polk County District Attorney, has accepted the position of Assistant District Attorney (ADA) for Washburn and Burnett Counties.
“The Washburn County District Attorney’s Office is proud to introduce Attorney Daniel P. Steffen who has recently accepted the position of Washburn County Assistant District Attorney,” said Washburn County District Attorney Angeline Winton to DrydenWire.com. “We are extremely fortunate that Dan has joined our team. He comes with an extensive prosecutorial background and I know he will be a great asset to our county”, Winton said.
Steffen fills the role of ADA after former ADA Angeline Winton won the election last year for the office of District Attorney for Washburn County. The role of ADA is a dual-role, as the ADA also spends time as ADA for Burnett County.
“I'm excited to join the Washburn and Burnett County District Attorney's Offices. I've known both DA Norine and DA Winton for many years and I believe they are both excellent attorneys who are fine representatives of their respective counties.” says Steffen, “I look forward to doing whatever I can to help them to administer justice in Washburn and Burnett Counties.”
Steffen was born and raised in Polk County and graduated from Osceola High School in 1989. He graduated from the William Mitchell College of Law in 1998. He returned home to Osceola and joined the Ludvigson & GaleWyrick law firm as a general practitioner. When Judge GaleWyrick won election to the Polk County bench and Guy Ludvigson retired, Steffen joined the Bakke Norman firm where he became an experienced municipal prosecutor while practicing family law, criminal law and personal injury.
Experience:
- Osceola High School (1989)
- B.A. from St. Cloud University (1994)
- William Mitchell College of Law – Juris Doctor (1998)
- Admitted to Practice Law – State of Wisconsin
- Ludvigson & GaleWyrick, S.C. – Associate (1998-2002)
- Bakke-Norman, S.C. – Associate (2002-2007)
- Polk County District Attorney (2007-2016)
- Municipal Prosecutor:
- Village of Hammond (2004-2007)
- Village of Baldwin (2004-2007)
- Village of Somerset (2004-2007)
Accomplishments as Polk County D.A.:
Collaborated with law enforcement, judges and community organizations to create and implement numerous programs within Polk County to include:
- Polk County Drug Court
- Criminal Justice Collaborating Council
- Polk County Restorative Justice
- Coordinated Community Response Team (to address issues of domestic violence)
- Intoxicated Driver Intervention Program
- Victim Impact Panels
- Drug Endangered Children Program (Polk County is now certified as a Drug Endangered Children program)
- Polk County Diversion Program (for non-violent, first-time offenders) to avoid criminal charges
- Child Advocacy Referral Interagency Networking Group (CARING) which addresses issues relating to child abuse and neglect.
- In conjunction with the Community Referral Agency (CRA) developed the Domestic Violence Education Class as well as the Bond Modification Class. These classes were designed for both Domestic Abuse defendants as well as victims who desire to get their NO CONTACT conditions changed. The individuals attend a separate class and then must appear in court where the judge makes a determination (with input from D.A.'s office) as to whether or not the bond is changed. This program was/is unique to the State of Wisconsin.
- Together with Social Worker Brooke Whitley, implemented the SAM project (Stop Abusive Messaging). Spoke at 10 different schools in this district to discuss issues of abusive online messaging amongst students.
- In 2014, became one of the first counties in Wisconsin to become paperless, saving the county thousands of dollars per year.
Dan is also the proud father of three children: Delaney (13), Aiden (11), and Cooper (7), and currently resides in Osceola, WI.
Last Update: Feb 02, 2017 8:04 am CST
