FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact your attorney. The District Attorney and their staff are unable to to speak directly to you if you're represented. If you are pro se, that is representing yourself, please inform the judge that you'd like to speak with the prosecutor at your next court appearance.
Please speak with your attorney. They have access to discovery via our electronic discovery portal.
No, the District Attorney is unable to provide legal advice. They are the public prosecutor for Linn County and do not provide legal advice or representation for any individual or commercial entity. Ethical, confidential and legal obligations prevent such advice from being given.
If you have received a subpoena from our office, please appear at the date and time shown on the subpoena. If you are served a Grand Jury subpoena, you must appear on the date and time indicated on the subpoena. Any subpoena you receive is an order of the court and failure to appear may be punished as contempt of court. For further information, please contact our office.
Anyone contacting you in person from our office with have an official hard plastic photo ID badge on their person. If we're contacting you by phone, ask for the individual contacting you for their name, then feel free to call our main line (541) 967-3836 and ask for that person.
A negotiated plea or plea bargain is an agreement reached between the defendant and our office. Typically, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to specific charges and in return, our office agrees to recommend a specific sentence to the judge in return. Negotiated pleas are employed by our office to benefit our community by saving time and resources for the Court, law enforcement and our office since the case resolves earlier and doesn't go to trial.
If you are appearing for court, you should dress nicely and in a manner that demonstrates your respect for the court. Generally, hats, electronic devices including cell phones, weapons of any kind are not allowed. Be on time, stand when the judge enters the courtroom or you are addressing them.
Grand Jury is a special jury of your community peers convened to hear testimony in a criminal proceeding before the felony charges have been filed with the Court. These jurors are chosen in the same manner that jurors are selected for normal jury trial and they determine whether or not the DA's office has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and can be charged. All Grand Jury proceedings are confidential.
Please leave any of the following in your vehicle as they are not allowed inside the courthouse:
- Firearms (even if you have a permit)
- Pocket knives
- Any type of explosive or highly flammable substance
- Multi-tools similar to a Leatherman
- Scissors, knitting needles and other pointed sharp items
- Cameras or recording devices
- Drugs, drug paraphernalia and other controlled substances
If you are unsure who your attorney is, you should contact the Linn County Circuit Court (541) 967-3845 to see which attorney has filed an appearance on your behalf. If you have criminal charges pending, the court will work with you to determine whether or not you qualify for a court appointed attorney at your initial appearance.