Janelle Kendall

When the pandemic hit in 2020 many aspects of life were affected and that included the court system. Stearns County was no exception to that but Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall says as of a week ago they are caught up.

Last month Good Morning America was in St. Cloud recording a feature on the county's use of therapy dog, Nova. In 2021 Stearns County added a golden retriever named, Nova who was trained to work with victims who've dealt with a traumatic experiences.

In 2021 Stearns County added a golden retriever named Nova who was trained to work with victims who've dealt with a traumatic experience. Nova was the first in the State of Minnesota to be allowed to accompany victims to the witness stand.

With the 4th of July in the rearview mirror less fireworks are being shot off in Minnesota in the evenings. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall joined me on WJON. She indicates violators of Minnesota's fireworks laws rarely make it to her office with most of these offenses falling in the misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor category.

The State of Minnesota has taken steps toward the legalization of recreational marijuana with the passage of separate bills in the House and Senate at the Minnesota State Legislature.

Stearns county has had a "Drug Court" since 2002 and its success is getting noticed by the State Legislature. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall joined me on WJON. She explains Stearns County was the first in the state to have a "Drug Court"

The Minnesota legislature in 2023 will likely look at a bill that would legalize marijuana in the state for recreational use. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall joined me on WJON.

Stearns County is expecting a record amount of jury trials in 2022. That according to Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall. She joined me on WJON. She explains the reason for the record is a combination of a backed up amount of trials for the best two years and more cases going to trial from incidents happening this year.

The pandemic caused a backup of court cases in Stearns County for the past couple of years. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall joined me on WJON today. She says the reason they aren't caught up now is due to a lack of public defenders.

The street racing problem in the Twin Cities was also problem in St. Cloud. That according to Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall. She joined me on WJON today. She says the problem spawned out of the pandemic in St. Cloud but says it is "tightened up" in St. Cloud thanks to efforts from the St. Cloud PD.

A large portion of the money spent by the Stearns County Attorney's office went into trials in 2021. Janelle Kendall is the Stearns County Attorney. She joined me on WJON today. She says they were close to a record setting number of trials last year.

Tri-County Crimestoppers twice weekly highlights the unsolved car thefts, burglaries and break-ins in the area. Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall joined me on WJON this week. She described the type of legal penalties these individuals can face if convicted of these crimes.