County Attorney

Toole County Attorney’s Office

Merle Raph was elected in 2018 to his eighth four-year term as Toole County Attorney. He is a Past President of the Montana County Attorneys Association and has served as a Special Prosecutor for other counties as well as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

The Toole County Attorney’s Office provides legal representation for the Toole County Board of Commissioners and protects the legal interests of all county departments. The office also advises and represents various local entities, including school districts, fire districts, weed districts, cemetery districts, television districts, and water and sewer districts.

In addition to its civil responsibilities, the office prosecutes all criminal offenses committed in Toole County, except for municipal ordinance violations. These include cases investigated by the Toole County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Motor Carrier Services, and violations of state law at the U.S. Port of Entry in Sweet Grass, Montana. The office also handles juvenile prosecutions.

The County Attorney represents the State of Montana in proceedings involving child abuse and neglect and involuntary commitments related to mental illness.

In civil matters, the office also serves as legal counsel to the Toole County Public Administrator, managing estates of individuals who passed away without heirs.

Notice to the Public

The Toole County Attorney represents only the State of Montana and Toole County. The office cannot provide legal advice or assistance for private matters.

If you need help with a private legal issue and cannot afford an attorney, please contact: