Handles a wide variety of cases. Does good work. Very reasonable rates. Is assertive, but does not do things just to start "wars". Not sure what the other rater was talking about. He has handled cases (such as Janklow trial) where he received death threats for enforcing the law.
A private attorney, city attorney and the state's attorney for Moody County, Ellingson's priority is evidently not that of States Attny. Dubbed "Monte Hall" (as in LETS MAKE A DEAL) by many local law enforcement and victim service providers, Ellingson is famous for his creative plea-bargaining of cases for the state. Even in the face of glaring evidence it's not unusual for him to drop FELONY charges if the defendant will plea to a minor misdemeanor. He appears to prosecute only the cases that are a "slam dunk" or are so public that he has no choice but to actually do his job as the state's prosecutor. And during tax season, he seems to be even less committed to his duties as state's attorney, since evidently tax law pays much better than state cases. He is a joke and a disappointment, and if the citizens of Moody County are smart they will recruit some other candidates and vote him out of office in the next election. He is a token prosecutor and this county deserves better.
![[Key]](/local/images/key_blue_header.gif){kind=small}
