The State's Attorney is Butte County's legal officer. The State's Attorney, and the State's Attorney's Deputies must be attorneys licensed to practice law in South Dakota. The State's Attorney is responsible for giving advice and legal representation to the County Commission and other County elected or appointed officials, including advice on contracts, labor and personnel issues, assessments, taxes, and other issues. The State's Attorney is also responsible for prosecuting or defending any actions in which the State or County is an interested party, including all civil or criminal proceedings. As the County's chief prosecutor, the State's Attorney and Deputies investigate crimes referred by law enforcement agencies to decide whether to pursue criminal charges, or not. If charges are brought in a criminal case, the State's Attorney and Deputies prosecute the case in Magistrate or Circuit Court, seeking justice for victims of crime and a just conclusion for the criminal case. The State's Attorney and Deputies also represent the State in juvenile proceedings and abuse and neglect cases. 
 

The State's Attorney's Office cannot assist private citizens in personal civil matters such as property disputes or divorce and custody cases. For those cases, a citizen may contact a private attorney. The South Dakota State Bar website at www.statebarofsouthdakota.com has an attorney referral link for assistance.