Carmen L. Patterson for County Attorney

A County and Prosecuting Attorney in Wyoming is an elected official who serves two primary functions: (1) Chief criminal prosecutor for State and County laws within the county and (2) civil legal advisor and representative for county government.  County Attorneys do not provide legal advice to private citizens.

Criminal and Juvenile Prosecution

• Prosecutes all felonies and most misdemeanors committed within the county.
• Handles juvenile matters, including delinquency cases, child neglect, and Children in need of Supervision (CHINS) proceedings in juvenile court.
• Oversees local Crime Victim/Witness programs to ensure victims receive support and assistance.
• Actively participates in or directs the Treatment Court programs (adult, juvenile, DUI, or felony treatment Courts), promoting rehabilitation and alternatives to traditional incarceration where appropriate.

Civil Representation and County Counsel.

• Acts as the official legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners, department heads, and other elected county officials.  (Note: county officials are not legally required to follow the County Attorney’s advice.)
• Represents the county in civil litigation, administrative hearings and other legal actions.

Mental Health Proceedings

• Initiates and represents the state’s interest in involuntary hospitalization and related mental health commitment proceedings for individuals who are a danger to themselves or others.

This role requires a balance of prosecutorial responsibilities, public-service legal counsel, victim advocacy, and involvement in court-and community-based treatment programs.

Why this matters to taxpayers.

• Public safety:  prosecution priorities and treatment programs influence community safety and crime outcomes.
• Fiscal impact:  decisions on prosecutions, settlements, and legal strategy affect county budgets and potential liabilities
• Services for victims and rehabilitation programs can reduce long-term costs and improve community well-being.

The County Attorney’s Office shapes how laws are enforced, how the county manages legal risk, and how taxpayer dollars are spent on public safety and legal matters.

The difference between a County Attorney and a District Attorney is the District Attorney is strictly a prosecutor.  They represent the state exclusively in criminal matters, juvenile cases, and related proceedings.  They do not handle civil legal matters for the county government.  Wyoming only has two District Attorneys: Laramie County  District Attorney (1st Judicial District) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Natrona County District Attorney (7th Judicial District) located in Casper, Wyoming.

To enforce state laws and maintain public safety within our community.

By relying on a fundamental rule of legal ethics:  The “client” is the county itself, not the individual officials who run it.

Under Rule 1.13 of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, a government lawyer owes their ultimate allegiance to the governmental entity.  This legal and ethical framework dictates how the Lincoln County Attorney should navigate potential conflicts through a structured process.

The County Attorney advises the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners or the County Sheriff, for instance, strictly in their official capacities.  They must comply with state law.  I cannot represent the personal interests of the official.

They should expect a neutral review of formal evidence.

If it shows credible, concrete evidence of criminal wrongdoing (such as embezzlement, official misconduct, or fraud), that amounts to probable cause that a state law was broken then my duty to the public interest is to file formal criminal charges.

If the citizen exposes a non-criminal violation (such as a county department violating public records law or zoning ordinances) I cannot sue the county on the citizen’s behalf, instead, I must advise the county department to correct its course.

If the department refuses, then I am ethically required to escalate the issue to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to protect the County from liability.

A county attorney should have clear boundaries on private property and policy disputes.  In these cases, a citizen should expect a direct rejection.  A county attorney cannot act as a referee in a private property dispute or personal grievance against an official.  If a citizen is unhappy with how county money is allocated, they should contact the County Commissioners, as budget allocation is a political decision, not a legal violation.

When a conflict arises between what is legally permissible (actions that technically clear the minimum bar of the law) and what is ethically right (actions that uphold justice, fairness, and public trust a County Attorney must prioritize systemic ethics over mere legal technicalities.

The Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct explicitly state in the preamble that the formal rules do not exhaust the moral and ethical considerations that should inform a lawyer.  You have to approach this situation through a defined ethical hierarchy that includes:  being legally designated as a minister of justice not a core mandate to win cases or rack up convictions but to seek justice, not merely to convict. If providing advice to an official, a County Attorney should include considerations such as moral, economic, social, and political factors that warn the official of the ethical fallout and long-term damage to public confidence.

When legally permissible actions threaten to border on ethical gray areas, transparency is the primary defense against corruption.

Not currently.

The Republican Party will be issuing a questionnaire to the respective candidates and will place their responses on the Republican Party website.  I also understand SVI Media will be doing the same and will publish an election edition of the newspaper shortly before the Primary on August 18.