Minnesota Third Judicial District County Attorney Electronic Evidence Collaborative

The Third Judicial District of the Minnesota Judicial Branch consists of the eleven counties of Southeast Minnesota including Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona.  Each of the counties is a unique jurisdiction having separate county attorney offices, sheriff’s offices, and in several small cities, separate police departments.  As with many areas in Minnesota and other states, the makeup of eleven counties is diverse in population size and demographics.  So too is the makeup of the county attorney offices (ranging from 2 to 26 attorneys) and law enforcement agencies.  Collection and analysis of digital evidence has become an important tool in solving crimes, preparing court cases, and just as importantly preventing the innocent from being wrongfully convicted. Recognizing this need, County Attorneys of the Minnesota Third Judicial District are working cooperatively to create a technology taskforce.

It is the intention to cooperatively purchase the services of Computer Forensic Services (CFS) on all-inclusive basis for $500,000.00 per year for the Minnesota Third Judicial District Attorney Electronic Evidence Technology Taskforce members.  Houston County would serve as the fiscal agent for processing billing from CFS.