For Olmsted County Attorney
Walters Works.
A level head. A proven record. A local prosecutor committed to keeping every community in Olmsted County safe.
A level head. A proven record. A local prosecutor committed to keeping every community in Olmsted County safe.
A safe community requires more than tough talk. It requires a level head, strong partnerships, and a commitment to getting results that people can actually see.
When Michael took office, the wait for a first appearance in criminal court was a full year. Today, new charges are getting hearing dates in weeks. That progress will continue until every victim and every person accused of a crime gets the certainty they deserve: that their case will be resolved fairly and without unnecessary delay.
Proportionate consequences. Due process. Transparency. Under Michael's leadership, the prosecution policy for domestic assault by strangulation was changed to pursue a conviction in every case, ending the practice of letting these serious offenses result in no conviction on the record. At the same time, the office has built a culture of openness with the defense bar through regular standing meetings, because fair play means respecting the rights of the accused too.
Justice is about the people behind the cases. The office works closely with Olmsted County Victim Services, the Women's Shelter, and the Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents, a state of the art child abuse investigation center. The team of victim witness coordinators is growing to ensure that victims are informed, supported, and never left wondering what is happening with their case.
Mental illness in our community is a public safety challenge that deserves more than a revolving door. Working with law enforcement, the courts, defense lawyers, and social services, the office launched a weekly mental health court calendar for defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Previously, these cases languished for months. Now, prosecutors, social workers, and mental health practitioners meet every Friday to find real solutions backed by binding court orders. In just two months, multiple defendants have been stabilized and are ready to stand trial.
Michael Walters grew up right here in Olmsted County. After graduating from Century High School, he earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota and came back home to the Olmsted County Courthouse. Sixteen years later, he's still there. He knows the system inside and out because he's worked across it, from drug treatment court to juvenile justice to prosecuting every case type from DWI to murder. He's not just an administrator who asks his staff to do the work. He has personally tried cases resulting in convictions and life sentences.
In April 2025, Michael was appointed to lead the Olmsted County Attorney's Office. Today he oversees a team of over fifty professionals committed to integrity, fair play, and results. He is a founding member of Drug Treatment Court, has built the county's first weekly mental health court calendar, and lives locally with his wife and children.
From Rochester to the smallest township, every resident deserves a County Attorney who shows up.
County seat & regional hub
Growing families, growing needs
Strong roots, tight-knit community
Small town, strong values
Heart of the county
Where community runs deep
From Cascade to Viola
Real progress takes a community behind it. Contribute, connect with us, or simply spread the word to your neighbors.