The Brown County State’s Attorney’s Office:  

• Prosecutes crimes committed in Brown County against the State of South Dakota;
• Provides assistance to victims of crime;
• Handles juvenile matters occurring in Brown County;
• Prosecutes violations of county ordinances;
• Provides legal advice to county officials;
• Provides legal representation to Brown County and county officials concerning county civil matters. 

Note: By law, the State’s Attorney and his full-time Deputies are not allowed to either provide legal advice to private citizens or to engage in the private practice of law.

Detailed Department Information

Ernest Thompson, Brown County State’s Attorney
(Overall office administration, selected criminal matters, and civil matters involving the county and county officials)

Jennifer Stoddard, Deputy State’s Attorney
(Felony Cases) 

Ross Aldentaler, Deputy State’s Attorney
(Misdemeanor Cases; Civil/Commission)  

Karla Nelson, Deputy State’s Attorney
(Juvenile Matters) 

Kelsi Vinger, Diversion Coordinator
(Diversion Pamphlet)

The State’s Attorney’s Office does not generally investigate crimes. 

To report a crime, contact one of the following law enforcement agencies:

Within the City of Aberdeen:  The Aberdeen Police Department 

Outside the City of Aberdeen:  The Brown County Sheriff