Deputy sheriffs will be able to provide a different kind of legal service.
Effective Aug. 1, 2009, a new law removes a prohibition of a deputy sheriff practicing law, provided the deputy has the appointing sheriff’s approval. The law also permits a coroner to practice as an attorney.
Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), who sponsors the law with Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), said it allows deputy sheriffs to practice law outside their jurisdiction for cases that do not affect them in their deputy sheriff job. Violation of the law will be a petty misdemeanor.
An assistant St. Paul city attorney, Lesch said he has sometimes provided services for cases in other jurisdictions.
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