Lara Roetzel has officially been sworn in as the first elected female Pennington County’s States’ Attorney.
Previously, she was appointed to the role and has served for the past two years.
Roetzel, following a nearly three-decade legal career, reassumed the role of the county’s top prosecutor Monday with a ceremony at the Jeff W. Davis memorial courtroom.
Prior to her taking oath, deputy states’ attorney Gina Nelson referred to Roetzel as a “living legend” of the courtroom.
“She’s deeply impacted and mentored at least seven judges, at least six federal prosecutors, countless successful private sector attorneys – two of which are her own children – and near as I can count, over 50 prosecutors who Lara has had a massive impact on in training and mentoring,” Nelson said.
After those remarks, Roetzel was formally signed in by presiding Seventh Circuit Judge Robert Gusinsky.
Roetzel said she plans to continue her hard-nosed prosecutorial style into the next term with an emphasis on empathy in sentencing.
“These commitments are in addition to my continuing – our continuing – vital work of addressing violent crime with a balanced approach that prioritizes public safety while seeking alternatives to cycles of incarceration, combating systemic inequities in our justice system that disproportionately effect marginalized communities, and protecting the most vulnerable among us,” Roetzel said.
Following her swearing in, Roetzel herself swore in 24 deputy state's attorneys. She said her top priority is navigating the next four years of criminal law.